No matter what holiday you celebrate, I wish you joy, love and peace this season and throughout the coming year. Now the Quote of the Day:
" I believe everything happens for a reason. If something happens that I don't necessarily agree with or I'm unhappy with, I'll just remind myself to stay positive and trust that things will happen the way they should."
Author Unknown
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Using a Baby Sling Can Make Life with Baby Simple
The use of baby slings, or “baby wearing” as it’s sometimes called, is very common in many cultures around the world. More parents in the United States are learning about baby wearing from attachment parenting books and websites, and are realizing the benefits are numerous. The sling a comfortable and simple way of carrying your little one, and can be used for infants and toddlers alike. It’s simple to be discreet when breastfeeding if you’re using a sling and it is much friendlier to mom and dad’s skeletons than backpacks and simple arm toting.
Evidence has also shown that babies in slings are less susceptible becoming colicky, and are less likely to spit up excessively. Slings have also been shown to lower mortality rate in premature infants, and that the natural movement and stimulation provided by being in a sling promotes neurological development.
One of the greatest benefits of baby wearing is that either mom or dad can more easily complete daily tasks around the house.
Lastly, babies who are nurtured in a sling realize they are safe, secure and loved, and the sling assists in continuing the bonding process. Parents who use a sling are usually more tuned in to their baby’s needs, and the baby finds comfort in the sling environment which simulates the pressure, motion and warmth sensations they experienced before birth in the womb. It can also reduce fussiness and crying, and can help lull your little one to sleep. They’re more likely to sleep longer and more comfortably while in a sling as well. It can also help reduce the level of stress hormones in your baby. All of these result in a more restful night’s sleep for both baby and parents.
Evidence has also shown that babies in slings are less susceptible becoming colicky, and are less likely to spit up excessively. Slings have also been shown to lower mortality rate in premature infants, and that the natural movement and stimulation provided by being in a sling promotes neurological development.
One of the greatest benefits of baby wearing is that either mom or dad can more easily complete daily tasks around the house.
Lastly, babies who are nurtured in a sling realize they are safe, secure and loved, and the sling assists in continuing the bonding process. Parents who use a sling are usually more tuned in to their baby’s needs, and the baby finds comfort in the sling environment which simulates the pressure, motion and warmth sensations they experienced before birth in the womb. It can also reduce fussiness and crying, and can help lull your little one to sleep. They’re more likely to sleep longer and more comfortably while in a sling as well. It can also help reduce the level of stress hormones in your baby. All of these result in a more restful night’s sleep for both baby and parents.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Baby Shower December Holiday Themes
A great decoration idea in December will depend on what religion you are celebrating: Christmas: If you want to tie the theme of Christmas into your baby shower, paint bells, mini trees, stars with blue or pink (if you know the gender of the baby). The room can look like a winter wonderland (use cotton with glitter) and the food can be festive for the season. Gingerbread and candy canes can say "It's a boy" or "It's a girl".
Hanukah: If you want to tie Hanukah into the shower, use the blue and white colors as well as make festive foods like latkes and brisket. Decorate the room with blue or pink dreidels (if you know the gender of the baby). The room can be festive with lights since it is the festival of lights.
Kwanzaa: If you want to tie Kwanzaa into the theme, use the colors black, red and green for the room. Tie the seven principals into the theme in how it relates to the baby. People can dress in festive clothing as well as the seven light Kinara placed at the party. Kwanzaa is a family holiday and focus can be given to family values. Vegetables can be served at the party since it coincides with what is symbolic of Kwanzaa. I hope these ideas help you in planning your December party.
Hanukah: If you want to tie Hanukah into the shower, use the blue and white colors as well as make festive foods like latkes and brisket. Decorate the room with blue or pink dreidels (if you know the gender of the baby). The room can be festive with lights since it is the festival of lights.
Kwanzaa: If you want to tie Kwanzaa into the theme, use the colors black, red and green for the room. Tie the seven principals into the theme in how it relates to the baby. People can dress in festive clothing as well as the seven light Kinara placed at the party. Kwanzaa is a family holiday and focus can be given to family values. Vegetables can be served at the party since it coincides with what is symbolic of Kwanzaa. I hope these ideas help you in planning your December party.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Stress Free Holidays During Your Pregnancy
I decided to do something a little different today and post a article to help pregnant women deal with the holidays!
Holidays can already be a stressful time, and mix that with pregnancy and hormones and you can be asking for trouble. I’m not meaning for just the pregnant woman either, anyone and everyone in her path. Women already feel the pressure of having that perfect holiday for her family, which is probably why she decides to do 100 things at a time...stressing herself out in the end. However, she doesn’t have to have a stressful holiday. There are five ways to make your holidays something to remember.
Mark the Dates
Go out and buy yourself a calendar for the holidays. Post it up on the wall and start marking dates. You won’t need to stress out because you won’t be double booking yourself. This can also help you in preplanning, mark the day you should send out the holiday cards or buy certain items.
Choosing Your Activities
During the holiday season you are sure to be invited to a couple of parties. It isn’t necessary to attend every one of them. Decide which ones you’ll enjoy the most, maybe two or three and explain to the rest you’ll miss going but need some rest.
Choose Where You’ll Go
Whether you want to stay home for the holidays with your own family or go across country to be with the entire family the decision should be yours. Don’t feel guilty telling them you won’t be making it this year, explain you need rest and traveling isn’t very helpful. You may even want to extend an invitation for the family to come to your house instead.
Designating Jobs
If you’ve decided to have the holidays at your house you can still have a good time. Don’t forget that asking for help is okay. No one expects you to do it all on your own. Do you really have to cook the ham, bake the potatoes, make a cake, clean the house and set up the tree all by yourself? Designate others to help, they'll feel happy you’ve given them something to do instead of sit around waiting while they watch you do it all.
Shopping Time
Shopping during the holiday season can be a nightmare that you don’t need to attempt while pregnant. It’s safer to just stay home during some of those sales. Instead you may want to try shopping online, not only will you be home but you can relax. The only thing you’ll need is a credit card and let your fingers do the work. You can even do all your holiday shopping early and have it delivered right to your front door. All you need to do is wrap it up and hide it in the closet.
Remember the holiday season is all about making memories that’ll last. You may be pregnant but you don’t have to sit at home the whole time stressed out, instead you can actually enjoy yourself with these helpful tips. Don’t forget to take a little time off to do something just for you, after all you deserve it.
Holidays can already be a stressful time, and mix that with pregnancy and hormones and you can be asking for trouble. I’m not meaning for just the pregnant woman either, anyone and everyone in her path. Women already feel the pressure of having that perfect holiday for her family, which is probably why she decides to do 100 things at a time...stressing herself out in the end. However, she doesn’t have to have a stressful holiday. There are five ways to make your holidays something to remember.
Mark the Dates
Go out and buy yourself a calendar for the holidays. Post it up on the wall and start marking dates. You won’t need to stress out because you won’t be double booking yourself. This can also help you in preplanning, mark the day you should send out the holiday cards or buy certain items.
Choosing Your Activities
During the holiday season you are sure to be invited to a couple of parties. It isn’t necessary to attend every one of them. Decide which ones you’ll enjoy the most, maybe two or three and explain to the rest you’ll miss going but need some rest.
Choose Where You’ll Go
Whether you want to stay home for the holidays with your own family or go across country to be with the entire family the decision should be yours. Don’t feel guilty telling them you won’t be making it this year, explain you need rest and traveling isn’t very helpful. You may even want to extend an invitation for the family to come to your house instead.
Designating Jobs
If you’ve decided to have the holidays at your house you can still have a good time. Don’t forget that asking for help is okay. No one expects you to do it all on your own. Do you really have to cook the ham, bake the potatoes, make a cake, clean the house and set up the tree all by yourself? Designate others to help, they'll feel happy you’ve given them something to do instead of sit around waiting while they watch you do it all.
Shopping Time
Shopping during the holiday season can be a nightmare that you don’t need to attempt while pregnant. It’s safer to just stay home during some of those sales. Instead you may want to try shopping online, not only will you be home but you can relax. The only thing you’ll need is a credit card and let your fingers do the work. You can even do all your holiday shopping early and have it delivered right to your front door. All you need to do is wrap it up and hide it in the closet.
Remember the holiday season is all about making memories that’ll last. You may be pregnant but you don’t have to sit at home the whole time stressed out, instead you can actually enjoy yourself with these helpful tips. Don’t forget to take a little time off to do something just for you, after all you deserve it.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Baby Game Shower: Baby games to play at the Baby Shower
Babies are so much fun. But baby games shower are much more fun since moms-to-be, godparents, grandparents, and other invitees in the baby shower can get to play childish games again. Some of the baby game shower that can be played include Sing It, Baby!, Measuring up Mommy, Here's Looking at You, Kid!, Don't Say Baby, Baby Truth or Dare, The Seventh Gift, and Dig out the Pins.
These baby games are the common baby game showers usually played. They are a great way that would let the guests mingle and get to know each other, if they aren't acquainted yet. This is also another great way to give honor to the mom-to-be for having that precious baby on the way.
How do we play these baby game showers? Here is the run-down on how to play the baby game shower and create good memories of a great baby shower.
In Sing It, Baby!, the guests participants form a circle. They can sit or stand. Then, each guest must sing a line or two from a song that has the word "baby" in it. When the first game player has finished, the next person seated on her right has ten seconds to sing another "baby" song. "Baby" songs cannot be repeated, thus, participants who repeat a song or cannot think of a "baby" song gets booted out of the game. Last person singing in this baby game shower wins the prize!
How big has mommy become? Measuring Up Mommy is the baby game shower to play as this gives the guests the freedom to measure mommy's size. Have a couple of toilet paper rolls ready and ask each participant to estimate the size of mommy's girth by cutting the toilet paper to their guess size. Then each one wraps around the new mommy's stomach the toilet paper they cut. The nearest length approximating to the mommy's stomach wins the prize!
Remember how you looked when you were a baby? This game takes you down memory lane as you need to dig up those baby pictures of yours. Because you need them to play the baby game shower Here's Lookin' At You, Kid! Before the party itself, request all the guests coming to bring the cutest baby picture of themselves. Upon their arrival, secure each baby picture and assign a number per picture. During the game, lay all baby pictures and give each participant paper and pen and ask them to identify as many baby pictures as they can. The guest with the most number of correct guesses is the big winner.
This baby game shower makes you NOT say what you are suppose to be attending to! The game Don't Say Baby is precisely that! Don't say "baby" during the entire length of the baby game shower for the diaper pin that was given to you upon your arrival will be taken away from you. The person with the most number of diaper pins collected at the end of the shower party wins a prize.
This baby game shower is for those who love baby trivia and the like. Play Baby Truth or Dare by writing down some baby trivia, some correct and others purposely written incorrectly. During the baby game shower, ask randomly if the baby facts are either true or false. Those who guess correctly gets a prize while those who don't will be dared to perform in front of everyone else.
We all know that the single lady who catches the bride's wedding bouquet is said to become the next bride. In The Seventh Gift, it is not so much a baby game shower but more of a fable that says that the giver of the seventh gift unwrapped will be the next expecting mother. However, avoid "planting" the seventh gift.
Last but not the least, Dig Out the Pins is the baby game shower that tests the agility of the guests as they fish out the most number of diaper pins from a large bowl filled with uncooked rice and diaper pins in under two minutes. The participant that has the most number of pins brings home the prize.
These baby games are the common baby game showers usually played. They are a great way that would let the guests mingle and get to know each other, if they aren't acquainted yet. This is also another great way to give honor to the mom-to-be for having that precious baby on the way.
How do we play these baby game showers? Here is the run-down on how to play the baby game shower and create good memories of a great baby shower.
In Sing It, Baby!, the guests participants form a circle. They can sit or stand. Then, each guest must sing a line or two from a song that has the word "baby" in it. When the first game player has finished, the next person seated on her right has ten seconds to sing another "baby" song. "Baby" songs cannot be repeated, thus, participants who repeat a song or cannot think of a "baby" song gets booted out of the game. Last person singing in this baby game shower wins the prize!
How big has mommy become? Measuring Up Mommy is the baby game shower to play as this gives the guests the freedom to measure mommy's size. Have a couple of toilet paper rolls ready and ask each participant to estimate the size of mommy's girth by cutting the toilet paper to their guess size. Then each one wraps around the new mommy's stomach the toilet paper they cut. The nearest length approximating to the mommy's stomach wins the prize!
Remember how you looked when you were a baby? This game takes you down memory lane as you need to dig up those baby pictures of yours. Because you need them to play the baby game shower Here's Lookin' At You, Kid! Before the party itself, request all the guests coming to bring the cutest baby picture of themselves. Upon their arrival, secure each baby picture and assign a number per picture. During the game, lay all baby pictures and give each participant paper and pen and ask them to identify as many baby pictures as they can. The guest with the most number of correct guesses is the big winner.
This baby game shower makes you NOT say what you are suppose to be attending to! The game Don't Say Baby is precisely that! Don't say "baby" during the entire length of the baby game shower for the diaper pin that was given to you upon your arrival will be taken away from you. The person with the most number of diaper pins collected at the end of the shower party wins a prize.
This baby game shower is for those who love baby trivia and the like. Play Baby Truth or Dare by writing down some baby trivia, some correct and others purposely written incorrectly. During the baby game shower, ask randomly if the baby facts are either true or false. Those who guess correctly gets a prize while those who don't will be dared to perform in front of everyone else.
We all know that the single lady who catches the bride's wedding bouquet is said to become the next bride. In The Seventh Gift, it is not so much a baby game shower but more of a fable that says that the giver of the seventh gift unwrapped will be the next expecting mother. However, avoid "planting" the seventh gift.
Last but not the least, Dig Out the Pins is the baby game shower that tests the agility of the guests as they fish out the most number of diaper pins from a large bowl filled with uncooked rice and diaper pins in under two minutes. The participant that has the most number of pins brings home the prize.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
How To Choose A Breast Pump
The milk production in the breasts, much like so manyother things, work on the shear principal of supplyand demand. The more breast milk your baby consumes,the more your body will need to make.
Breast pumps are generally used to insure continuedproduction of breast milk when you cannot feed yourbaby - whether you are back to work, traveling, takingmedication, or just out of town.
Basic types of pumpsBreast pumps can either be battery operated, handoperated, semi automatic electric, or even self cyclingelectric.
Hand pumpsManual hand pumps are designed to use the strengthof your hand or arm muscles for pumping one breast ata time. You can also get pumps that will use the legand foot muscles for pumping both breasts at one time. Mothers that with carpal tunnel syndrome maywant to consider using a pump designed for the armor leg muscles or even an automatic model.
Battery operated pumpsPumps with battery operation are the best for womenwho have an established supply of milk and want topump once or even twice a day. These pumps use batteries to create suction, minimizing any type ofmuscle fatigue. Most battery type pumps are designedfor pumping one breast at a time and are recommendedfor occasional usage.
Electric pumpsEven though electric pumps are more efficient thanhand or even battery operated pumps, they also tendto be more expensive. You can however, rent them ifyou need to. Electric pumps can normally plugdirectly into an outlet and are designed for pumpingboth breasts at a time and even frequent use. Hospitalgrade pumps are the most efficient for initiating andmaintaining milk supply, and are available for rentor purchase.
Breast pumps are generally used to insure continuedproduction of breast milk when you cannot feed yourbaby - whether you are back to work, traveling, takingmedication, or just out of town.
Basic types of pumpsBreast pumps can either be battery operated, handoperated, semi automatic electric, or even self cyclingelectric.
Hand pumpsManual hand pumps are designed to use the strengthof your hand or arm muscles for pumping one breast ata time. You can also get pumps that will use the legand foot muscles for pumping both breasts at one time. Mothers that with carpal tunnel syndrome maywant to consider using a pump designed for the armor leg muscles or even an automatic model.
Battery operated pumpsPumps with battery operation are the best for womenwho have an established supply of milk and want topump once or even twice a day. These pumps use batteries to create suction, minimizing any type ofmuscle fatigue. Most battery type pumps are designedfor pumping one breast at a time and are recommendedfor occasional usage.
Electric pumpsEven though electric pumps are more efficient thanhand or even battery operated pumps, they also tendto be more expensive. You can however, rent them ifyou need to. Electric pumps can normally plugdirectly into an outlet and are designed for pumpingboth breasts at a time and even frequent use. Hospitalgrade pumps are the most efficient for initiating andmaintaining milk supply, and are available for rentor purchase.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Music for babies
You’ve probably seen videos and CDs for babies. There are some theories that classical music can make your baby smarter, and exposing your baby to music is part of what we do to introduce them to all the sights and sounds of their world.
Music can definitely help calm your baby down and put him in a restful state at bedtime or nap time. What are some good choices for a baby?
Almost anything you love or use for relaxation is good for a baby too. There are good collections of Mozart or Bach for bedtime. The music of Enya can be very soothing as well. Georgia Kelly’s harp music is also relaxing and peaceful.
When your baby’s awake, there are lots of nursery rhymes or music from kids’ movies that can stimulate his senses. We’ve known kids who respond to minimalist Phillip Glass’s music; it’s simple and rhythmic and when they get older, they’ll dance with it. Spirituals and soft gospel music are also good choices to help the baby get to sleep.
White noise, in the form of a fan (not directed right at the baby), or from sound machines that simulate the sound of an ocean or rain can be restful as well, and can block out noise from the home. You don’t need to create an artificially silent environment for the baby, however, since that can make it harder for them to get to sleep when the home’s rhythms and noises get back to normal.
This is a great time for you to explore classical music as well, if it’s not already part of your life. The same music that’s helping your baby get to sleep can help soothe your own nerves and provide a wonderful time of bonding and restfulness for you and your baby together.
Suzette J. Walker
Music can definitely help calm your baby down and put him in a restful state at bedtime or nap time. What are some good choices for a baby?
Almost anything you love or use for relaxation is good for a baby too. There are good collections of Mozart or Bach for bedtime. The music of Enya can be very soothing as well. Georgia Kelly’s harp music is also relaxing and peaceful.
When your baby’s awake, there are lots of nursery rhymes or music from kids’ movies that can stimulate his senses. We’ve known kids who respond to minimalist Phillip Glass’s music; it’s simple and rhythmic and when they get older, they’ll dance with it. Spirituals and soft gospel music are also good choices to help the baby get to sleep.
White noise, in the form of a fan (not directed right at the baby), or from sound machines that simulate the sound of an ocean or rain can be restful as well, and can block out noise from the home. You don’t need to create an artificially silent environment for the baby, however, since that can make it harder for them to get to sleep when the home’s rhythms and noises get back to normal.
This is a great time for you to explore classical music as well, if it’s not already part of your life. The same music that’s helping your baby get to sleep can help soothe your own nerves and provide a wonderful time of bonding and restfulness for you and your baby together.
Suzette J. Walker
Friday, November 23, 2007
How to Coordinate a Nursery
There’s nothing more wonderful than planning the nursery for your new baby. If you’ve decided to find out the gender of your baby, you can have the room all ready for him or her when you come home from the hospital.
What kinds of things do you need to create a safe haven and optimal sleep environment?
The trend for awhile was to have bright, stimulating colors in the nursery or mobiles in black and white to help the baby’s eyes develop. This faded from popularity pretty quickly as parents found out all that trendy stuff wasn’t conducive to sleep!
Make sure your crib conforms to all the guidelines for safety and that you have a good, firm mattress. Keep to softer pastel colors – blues, greens, pinks and yellows. Any color you like is good, although some, like blues and greens, are more restful.
Make sure the bedding and the entire room is clean and fresh. Until your baby is at least a year old, a quilt or comforter should be for decoration only. You can buy specially made quilt clips to hang it on a wall. Your baby’s bed needs to be unobstructed by blankets, pillows or sheets, so that her face is clear at all times and there’s no danger of obstructing her breathing. You might want to have a small foam wedge that’s positioned to keep the baby from rolling on her stomach. You should also keep stuffed animals or other toys out of the crib until the baby’s older. In addition, you may want to purchase a baby monitor to hear your baby throughout the night. These days, some monitors actually show your baby on a screen or video, amazing!
Make the room a pleasant one. If you use a scent, like lavender, keep it light. Nothing overpowering. Keep it as dust-free as possible to avoid sneezing and stuffy noses. The nursery should feel like a safe and cozy place that your baby associates with restfulness and security.
What kinds of things do you need to create a safe haven and optimal sleep environment?
The trend for awhile was to have bright, stimulating colors in the nursery or mobiles in black and white to help the baby’s eyes develop. This faded from popularity pretty quickly as parents found out all that trendy stuff wasn’t conducive to sleep!
Make sure your crib conforms to all the guidelines for safety and that you have a good, firm mattress. Keep to softer pastel colors – blues, greens, pinks and yellows. Any color you like is good, although some, like blues and greens, are more restful.
Make sure the bedding and the entire room is clean and fresh. Until your baby is at least a year old, a quilt or comforter should be for decoration only. You can buy specially made quilt clips to hang it on a wall. Your baby’s bed needs to be unobstructed by blankets, pillows or sheets, so that her face is clear at all times and there’s no danger of obstructing her breathing. You might want to have a small foam wedge that’s positioned to keep the baby from rolling on her stomach. You should also keep stuffed animals or other toys out of the crib until the baby’s older. In addition, you may want to purchase a baby monitor to hear your baby throughout the night. These days, some monitors actually show your baby on a screen or video, amazing!
Make the room a pleasant one. If you use a scent, like lavender, keep it light. Nothing overpowering. Keep it as dust-free as possible to avoid sneezing and stuffy noses. The nursery should feel like a safe and cozy place that your baby associates with restfulness and security.
Suzette Walker
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Funny Ways to Announce your Pregnancy
Whether you just found out you’re pregnant or you’ve known for a few months, announcing your pregnancy to family and friends can be a lot of fun. Some may want to wait until a certain time during their pregnancy, while others want to call everyone immediately after finding out themselves.
Telling The FatherHave a romantic dinner for two with candle lights, it may be your last time for a while, between morning sickness and raising your little one. Serve up baby carrots, baby back ribs and anything else you can think as baby. At the end, pour apple juice instead of wine and hand him a present. Inside you can have a tiny baby bib that says, “I heart My Daddy” or a pair of baby booties.
If you can’t tell the father right away because he’s away on business, or deployed try sending him a care package. Inside the box place a few baby items, everything in blue and pink and a baby naming book in the center. Place a note on top of the book with, “I need a name soon, I’ll be here by June.” Or whenever the baby is due.
You can also see how long it takes him to figure it out. Go to the dollar store and pick up a bunch of small baby items, a bib, rattle, bottle, booties, etc. For a week, leave an item laying around the house where he is bound to find them. At the end of the week if he hasn’t figured it out yet, prepare the big gift. Have a large teddy bear sitting at the dinner table in the seat beside him, make sure there is a bib wrapped around him and maybe a sign that says Hi Daddy.
Telling Family and FriendsShow up to a family gathering wearing a shirt that announces your state. These days there are a ton of shirts out there with clever sayings, “Baby on Board,” “A Bun in the Oven,” or something related to the pregnancy. The moment you walk in or take off your jacket everyone will figure it out without you ever having to say a word. Now, get ready for the tears and excitement. You’ll be answering a ton of questions.
If you already have children you may want to call the grandparents up and tell them that the next Christmas they may want to add one more to the list.
If this is the first grandchild, you may want to get a bracelet link for your mom that reads, “#1 Grandma” or grandparent t-shirts. This will not only be a great present for them but something they will cherish and love forever.
No matter when you spread the news it can be a lot of fun, just think creative and let the pieces fall. You may even want to try catching all of it on video, so think ahead and prepare for the BIG moment, and I’m not meaning the birth.
by Suzette Walker
Telling The FatherHave a romantic dinner for two with candle lights, it may be your last time for a while, between morning sickness and raising your little one. Serve up baby carrots, baby back ribs and anything else you can think as baby. At the end, pour apple juice instead of wine and hand him a present. Inside you can have a tiny baby bib that says, “I heart My Daddy” or a pair of baby booties.
If you can’t tell the father right away because he’s away on business, or deployed try sending him a care package. Inside the box place a few baby items, everything in blue and pink and a baby naming book in the center. Place a note on top of the book with, “I need a name soon, I’ll be here by June.” Or whenever the baby is due.
You can also see how long it takes him to figure it out. Go to the dollar store and pick up a bunch of small baby items, a bib, rattle, bottle, booties, etc. For a week, leave an item laying around the house where he is bound to find them. At the end of the week if he hasn’t figured it out yet, prepare the big gift. Have a large teddy bear sitting at the dinner table in the seat beside him, make sure there is a bib wrapped around him and maybe a sign that says Hi Daddy.
Telling Family and FriendsShow up to a family gathering wearing a shirt that announces your state. These days there are a ton of shirts out there with clever sayings, “Baby on Board,” “A Bun in the Oven,” or something related to the pregnancy. The moment you walk in or take off your jacket everyone will figure it out without you ever having to say a word. Now, get ready for the tears and excitement. You’ll be answering a ton of questions.
If you already have children you may want to call the grandparents up and tell them that the next Christmas they may want to add one more to the list.
If this is the first grandchild, you may want to get a bracelet link for your mom that reads, “#1 Grandma” or grandparent t-shirts. This will not only be a great present for them but something they will cherish and love forever.
No matter when you spread the news it can be a lot of fun, just think creative and let the pieces fall. You may even want to try catching all of it on video, so think ahead and prepare for the BIG moment, and I’m not meaning the birth.
by Suzette Walker
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Shower Game: Baby Guest
Have guests bring along baby pictures of themselves to the baby shower celebrations. As the guests enter the celebration area, have them give these photos to a secretary who will label them with removable tape at the back and note on a different sheet of paper the identity of the photo. Be very careful with these photos as they are very important keepsakes.
Then furnish the guests with a piece of paper and a pen and show the baby pictures to everyone one by one. Have the guests try to guess the identity of the photo and write it down on their answer sheets. Afterwards, reveal the answers to the quiz. The person to get the most number of correct guesses wins the game.
by Suzette Walker
Then furnish the guests with a piece of paper and a pen and show the baby pictures to everyone one by one. Have the guests try to guess the identity of the photo and write it down on their answer sheets. Afterwards, reveal the answers to the quiz. The person to get the most number of correct guesses wins the game.
by Suzette Walker
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Tired of the Same Baby Shower Games? Create a Scrapbook Keepsake Instead
This article was written by Christina Cermak and posted on babyshowerdepot.com. She has a great new take on baby shower games.
It seems that everyone is playing the same baby shower games these days. Why not have a baby shower activity that becomes a baby shower gift from all of your guests! Create a Scrapbook Keepsake. Here is what you need to purchase before the shower:
- 12” by 12” Scrapbook
- 12” by 12” Sheets of Decorative Paper, 1 Sheet per 2 Guests – Coordinate with your baby shower theme or baby’s gender
- 4” by 6” Colored index cards OR Baby Advice Cards
- Photo Corners or Some Other Adhesive
- Stickers & Markers to Decorate the Sheets
You will also need a volunteer to help you assemble the Scrapbook Keepsake during the shower.
Provide each of your guests with a Baby Advice Cards. Instruct them to write mommy to be advice on one side of the card. Have your guests pair up to decorate one of the pages. Give each pair a sheet of decorative paper, some stickers and markers. Let them decorate the pages and attach their advice cards. Your volunteer should collect the completed pages and add them to the scrapbook. You can even add extra sheets to add photos of the baby shower in the back of the Scrapbook Keepsake at a later date.
Present the Scrapbook Keepsake as a gift from mommy to be’s baby shower guests!
A Baby Shower Etiquette
This is a great article that was posted on about.com from one of their readers. I think it is very helpful to anyone who has experienced a loss or if you know someone who has loss a child. I hope you as much out of this article as you can.
Dealing with Pregnancy Loss & Infertility
Dealing with Pregnancy Loss & Infertility
- Be sensitive to your friend or family member who is dealing with infertility and pregnancy or infant loss. Your joy only reminds her of her own pain, and she may not be emotionally able to celebrate the happy moments of your pregnancy with you, at a baby shower or at any other time. Recognize and respect how difficult it is for her to be confronted with other people's pregnancies.
- Attending baby showers, baptisms, baby-namings, etc. is often impossible for your friend. Don't be offended if she can't be there.
- Never make assumptions about inviting someone. Don't send an invitation before checking with your friend. Just receiving an invitation in the mail can be devastating - always ask first to see if your friend feels up to it. Likewise, don't assume that you should not send an invitation. Your friend might feel up to attending, especially if she's close to you, or she might want to send a gift even if she won't attend. Always ask first.
- Accept what ever level of participation she feels comfortable with, and realize that she may need to bow out of attending an event that she's already promised to attend. If her latest infertility treatment has just failed (again), or if she's having a difficult time grieving her lost baby, putting on a brave face at your baby shower may be more than she can handle.
- Be generous. Please don't whine "Why can't she be happy for me?" And don't play reciprocity games, as in "If she can't deal with my pregnancy, I'm not going to be recognize her loss." If you can be sensitive to your friend now, she'll remember you with gratitude later.
Submitted by Jeannie
The Top 10 Shower Gifts
1. Bloppy- Is a support pillow doubles as a nursing pillow and play toy for the baby.
2. Avent Isis Breast Pump
3. Baby Bjorn- This carrier can be easily used by mom, dad or anyone who might like to walk around with the baby.
4. Diaper Genie
5. Infant to Toddler Bath
6. Bouncy Seats
7. The Baby Book
8. Mommy Bear- It plays lullaby sounds with the sound of a mother's heartbeat to help sooth baby.
9. Sassy Toys- Come in a variety of rattles, books and baby toys.
10. First Aid Kit for New Parents
Note: Although diaper cake was not on the list it is a great ideas. But mostly importantly the new parents will appreciate this cake. Newborns go through 8-12 diapers a day and giving this gift would be a fun way to give diapers other than an old boring pack. There are also so many different types of diaper cakes. It will be just as much fun deciding on which one to give!!!!!!!
2. Avent Isis Breast Pump
3. Baby Bjorn- This carrier can be easily used by mom, dad or anyone who might like to walk around with the baby.
4. Diaper Genie
5. Infant to Toddler Bath
6. Bouncy Seats
7. The Baby Book
8. Mommy Bear- It plays lullaby sounds with the sound of a mother's heartbeat to help sooth baby.
9. Sassy Toys- Come in a variety of rattles, books and baby toys.
10. First Aid Kit for New Parents
Note: Although diaper cake was not on the list it is a great ideas. But mostly importantly the new parents will appreciate this cake. Newborns go through 8-12 diapers a day and giving this gift would be a fun way to give diapers other than an old boring pack. There are also so many different types of diaper cakes. It will be just as much fun deciding on which one to give!!!!!!!
Baby Item Memory Game
Fill a large tray with things for the baby. Show the tray to the guests for about 15 to 30 seconds depending on the number of items. Remove the tray and have guests write down the things they remember. The guest who remembers the most items, wins.
Here is a list of items you can put on the tray:
diaper pins, cotton balls, cotton swabs, baby wipes, pacifier, bottle, nursing pads, bib, rattle, nasal syringe, medicine spoon, baby bootie, baby cap, spoon, board book
At the end of the game all of the items can be given to the new mother!
Here is a list of items you can put on the tray:
diaper pins, cotton balls, cotton swabs, baby wipes, pacifier, bottle, nursing pads, bib, rattle, nasal syringe, medicine spoon, baby bootie, baby cap, spoon, board book
At the end of the game all of the items can be given to the new mother!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Baby Shower Tea Party
Throw a surprise tea party baby shower for a mom-to-be. Make fresh flower centerpieces for the tables. Include teapots, plates, and cups and place a set on each table. Have whatever your theme is all around the room. Have the tables covered with fancy tablecloths and ask your guests to dress up. One last idea have your menu started with assorted teas, scones, etc. For the main menu make turkey on a croissant(or whatever meat of your choice), fresh fruit slices, and a salad. People will not be able to stop talking about your baby shower!! Good Luck.
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