Archive for the ‘Baby’ Category

A while back, an email with a site link was sent to me, and it featured the coolest way to announce a baby’s arrival since the famed cigar. Seriously, what kid wouldn’t want her/his birth into the world proclaimed via movie trailer style? Not only is it a unique way to tell your friends and family, but it is also a great keepsake for the child when s/he gets older.

There are a few pricing packages available to fit your budget and your need.

The online package is priced at $99. The preview will remain on the link for a year and great if you just want to send a quick notice to the world.

The single dvd package is priced at $149. In addition to the year-long, online hosting of the preview, you will receive a keepsake copy of your baby’s preview on dvd.

The Multiple dvd package is priced at $249. This package includes the online hosting and 25 dvds with an extra percentage in savings if you order more additional copies. Perhaps this is the best choice if you have lots of aunts, uncles, grandparents, and siblings you wish to give keepsakes to.

Of course, if you happen to be savy with a computer, then you may just be able to make your own movie trailer announcements and cut out the middle man. But for those of us who need a little help, then this is definitely the option to please. It’s fun, cute, and pretty affordable.

However, if you don’t want the movie preview, but like the idea of turning your new bundle into a star, then check out the movie poster announcements at at 5starbaby.com. They give that extra umph without having to dish out that extra cash.

Can you believe the holidays are coming up so soon? Coupling that with social gatherings sure to come and the number of pregnant friends I have right now I figured we should showcase some hot options for appropriate evening gowns. If you need inspiration for what you could wear to the office parties, holiday dinners or New Years Eve gatherings, we have some options for you:

sources:
A Pea In The Pod
Mercedes Hill
Sexy Belly Maternity

Here are some different ways to make your nursery vibrant, magical or just plain awesome.

For creative additions to decorate the walls, What Is Blik has incredible decals in various designs and the prices are reasonable:





While shopping at one of my favorite hangouts, Target (sad I know), I came across this 3-in-1 crib that grows with your child. I really liked the way it was paired with the matching changing station and rocking chair.



DwellStudio collection specifically designed for them that is less expensive and, in my opinion, quite nice.

Parents looking forward to the joy of a new life suddenly become more aware of the dangers in seemingly harmless items.  Lurking in every piece of furniture is a villainously sharp corner, a heart-stopping drop, or a container of prickly torture devices.  With all the potential hazards, parents may feel that the only viable safe place for the vulnerable infant is in their own arms.  But, we all know keeping a baby with us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is not possible nor mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy, for us or the baby.  Luckily, there are lots of tips out there for baby proofing your new child’s environment, and listed below are a few we picked up from Parenthood.com.  Please visit the site for the complete list.  And for more information about creating a child-safe home, visit the National Safe Kids Campaign website. 

Now, for newborns to 3-month old babies, the important items to focus on are those in which you choose to put your baby to rest.

• Be sure to use a crib that meets the safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM).  Generally any crib made after 1992 meets those standards
• Make sure the crib mattress fits snugly. You should be able to slide just one finger between the mattress and the side rails and headboard, so your child can’t slip between the mattress and crib.
• Do not use a crib that has elevated corner posts or decorative cutouts in the headboard since a baby’s head could become trapped there, or loose clothing could become snagged and cause strangulation.
• The slats on the crib should be no more than about 2 inches apart so baby’s head doesn’t get trapped between them
• Never put pillows, soft bedding, electric blankets, heating pads, or stuffed animals in a crib.
• If you use a playpen with mesh sides, the mesh “holes” should be less than 3/4 inch across (playpens made since 1974 meet this requirement
• For the same reason, wooden playpens should have slats that are less than 2 3/8 inches apart.
• Place a rug under the changing table and crib, which will offer some cushion in case of a fall.
• Nightlights should be at least three feet away from the crib, bedding, and draperies to prevent fire.

For babies 4-months to One Year (or until baby is walking), most precautions center around to your baby’s developing physical ability and curiosity. 

• Keep coins, small toys, nail scissors, and balloons — any item that is small enough to fit inside a cardboard toilet paper roll — out of infant’s reach.
• Remove mobiles and other hanging toys from the crib as soon as your child can reach up and touch them.
• Shorten drapery and blind cords.
• Remove the plastic end caps on doorstops, or replace the stops with a one-piece design.
• Lock any potentially dangerous substance in an upper-level cabinet. This includes alcoholic beverages, household cleaning formulas, laundry supplies, medications (including nonprescription varieties like vitamins, children’s Tylenol or Advil), paint, kerosene, gasoline, charcoal, lighter fluid, bug spray, pesticides, and fertilizers.
• Place houseplants out of children’s reach; know the names of all plants in case a child eats one of them.
• Cover every electrical outlet in your home with a child-resistant outlet cover (the plastic plugs are easy to pry out).
• Place screened barriers around fireplaces, radiators, and portable space heaters.
• Install hardware-mounted safety gates at the top and bottom of stairways with two or more steps.
• Pressure-mounted models may not be strong enough.
• Pad the edges of coffee tables and brick or tile fireplaces.
• Secure bookshelves, entertainment centers, and bureaus to walls since they can topple onto children who use furniture to pull up and stand.

This non-gender specific Inspiration Board serves not only to remind you that there’s more to think about than putting together a nursery for your miracle on the way, but also to remind you that there are lots of simple yet effective ways to save when preparing yourself for parenthood.



1. Planning to have more than one child? Save money and your sanity by getting yourself furniture items that can be used for longer periods of time as well as more than once. There are a great number of high chairs, strollers, car seats, carriers and appliances that are built for durability and longevity.

2. You can save money and help ease the burden on the environment by adding some clothe diapers to your pick-up list. They come in a multitude of colors, and are now even easier to put on your child.

3. Choose organic and non-toxic when looking for baby care items (soaps, clothing, bottles, toys). Items labeled as such are free of the harsh chemicals that have lasting, harmful effects on your child’s development, and they are much easier to recycle.

4. Sure Diego blue and Barbie pink are all the rage, but it doesn’t mean such particular colors should plaster every item of baby ware you purchase. Stock/request a range of colors when gathering blankets, bibs, binkies, onesies, etc. Such a variety insures repeat use, no matter what gender your progeny.