And A Little Child Shall Lead Them...Isaiah 11:6

Bringing Baby Home Essentials

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Create Lasting Memories

Every canvas has a story and your story should be told and seen.  Take your favorite pictures and transform them into art work. Revisit your vacation to Colorado Springs, New York or Disney.  Say "I Do" again as you turn your photos into a stunning wedding canvas. Create lasting memories with children's art work, baby pictures, fishing trips, your child's first day at school and so much more.

I can recall so many photos of my children that were just priceless and I wanted everyone to share in the joy  and laughter of these memories. Canvas art is also great for decorating ideas.  It  makes a great gift for grandparents, first-time parents, anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, and all those special occassions in your life.



Thursday, April 22, 2010

Pregnancy Tips For Eating Healthy

Pregnancy Tips For Eating Healthy



Meet the needs of your body and help avoid common discomforts of pregnancy by following these tips:

• Eat breakfast every day. If you feel sick to your stomach in the morning, choose dry whole-wheat toast or whole-grain crackers when you first wake up-even before you get out of bed. Eat the rest of your breakfast fruit later in the morning.

• Eat high-fiber foods. Eating whole-grain cereals, vegetables, fruits, beans, whole-wheat breads, and brown rice, along with drinking plenty of water and getting daily physical activity, can help you prevent the constipation that many women have during pregnancy.

• Keep healthy foods on hand. A fruit bowl filled with apples, bananas, peaches, oranges, and grapes makes it easy to grab a healthy snack. Fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables make healthy and quick additions to meals, as do canned beans.

• If you have heartburn during your pregnancy, eat small meals more often, eat slowly, avoid spicy and fatty foods (such as hot peppers or fried chicken), drink beverages between meals instead of with meals, and do not lie down right after eating.

Picaboo

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Pregnancy & Weight Gain

FREE stuff for any Mother or Father-to-be!




How Much Weight Should You Gain During Your Pregnancy?


Eating the right number of calories lets you and your baby gain the proper amount of weight. During the first 3 months of your pregnancy, you do not need to change the number of calories you are eating.


Normal-weight women need an extra 300 calories each day during the last 6 months of pregnancy. This totals about 1,900 to 2,500 calories a day. If you were underweight, overweight, or obese before you became pregnant, or if you are pregnant with more than one baby, you may need a different number of calories. Talk to your health care provider about how much weight you should gain and how many calories you need.

Listed below is a weight gain guide based on  pre-pregnancy weight  for women expecting only one baby.

If you are: Underweight You should gain: about 27 to 40 pounds

If you are: Normal weight You should gain: about 25 to 35 pounds

If you are: Overweight You should gain: about 15 to 25 pounds

If you are: Obese You should gain: about 15 pounds or less

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Baby Diaper Cakes - Lil Baby Cakes


Baby Diaper Cakes
By: "Lil Baby Cakes"

A diaper cake makes a unique baby gift, or centerpiece, for baby showers and even Baby Gifts For Coworkers! Each diaper cake is hand assembled and made with only premium diapers. Our Lil' Baby Cakes have a simple and elegant design, and they include what a mother wants the most....a lot of diapers! Check out our selection of beautiful baby cakes, and order one today!

Lil' Baby Cakes are wrapped in beautiful white tulle and dressed with ribbon. It is then placed in a sturdy cardboard box to ensure its safe arrival to the destination of your choice. You even have the option to send your gift with a personalized note.




Diaper Cakes - Consider giving a diaper cake as a wonderful baby gift. Order one for your next baby shower and get everyone talking!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Choosing The Right Stroller For Your Baby

Choosing The Right Stroller for Your Baby
By: lilmnstr

Choose the right stroller for your baby. When picking out the right stroller for your baby there are many aspects to consider. Number of babies, weight and height accommodation, safety, additional features, price and the list goes on. These are some tips to help you pick the right stroller for you and your baby.

Step 1:

If you're looking for a stroller that needs to accommodate a newborn or infant make sure the stroller is designed for one. This means that it needs to recline all the way back so that the baby is in a lying position not an upright seated position. Many strollers come with adjustable settings so that as the child grows you can place them in an upright seated position. A stroller should state the age range appropriate for its use.

Step 2:

Make sure the stroller you are selecting for your baby not only fits the age of your baby but the weight too. Each stroller has a baby weight limit. A stroller should state the weight limit on the box or tag.

Step 3:

Strollers should have a harness of some sort. Make sure the harness is secure and will keep your baby in the stroller safely. Stability is also a factor of safety. If you plan to put a bag on the handle and the stroller starts to tip over maybe you want to look at one with more storage space. Always check into possible recalls on any stroller you are looking to buy.

Step 4:

If you have or will have another baby in the near future you may want to look at strollers that accommodate multiples. There are some strollers designed for multiple babies of the same age and then there are also some that will accommodate a baby and a toddler or child.

Step 5:

Strollers come with a wide variety of features. One feature is the fold down option. Test this option to make sure you are comfortable with how it folds and just how much space the folded stroller will take up. Test the weight of the stroller and make sure you will not be struggling to get it into the trunk or upstairs on your own.

Step 6:

Some strollers come with a car seat. If you decide to get one of these travel system strollers make sure that the car seat is designed for your child and has all the required safety features. You should test the ease of attaching the car seat to the stroller and how secure the car seat is to the stroller.

Step 7:

Depending on your lifestyle you can opt for a basic stroller that has four wheels and only the front two or you can go for a jogging stroller. Every other level of maneuverability in between is an option too. Test the stroller in the store. Take it up and down aisles and on tight turns. If you struggle with it try another one.

Step 8:

Other features like color, storage space, canopy, adjustable handles, cup holders and such are dependent on your personal wants and needs. Once you find a stroller that meets your needs and wants to the above list then start looking for the ones that have the additional features too.


Free Shipping on Jogging Strollers

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

10 Baby Modeling Tips

10 Baby Modeling Tips - Things To Know To Help Your Baby Succeed

A lot of people think their baby has what it takes to make it as a baby model. Not all of them can be, and it can be devastating to a parent when their child is turned down.

Here are 10 baby modeling tips to help ensure that your child can become a successful baby model:

1. Find a reputable modeling agency. There are a lot of agencies that only care about lining their pockets,     even if means scamming you out of money.  Make sure to do research about a company beforehand.

2. Read those contracts very carefully before signing.


3. In the world of baby modeling, there is no point in having professional photos taken to show what your baby looks since their looks change so rapidly. Taking a picture at home will do just fine, as long your baby is shown clearly.

4. Also, make sure the child enjoys it. Sure, the parent is going to love making money on the side, but be sure the child is reacting positively to the experience.

5. If you are rejected, be sure to handle it gracefully. No agency will guarantee that they can find work for your baby, and you should not take it personally if your child is not chosen for a job.

6.Knowing exactly what the agencies are looking for when choosing babies to represent. They may have a certain look they are going for, but that does not always mean the best looking baby. Looks only account for a small part of it.

7. Remember that other things like the baby’s temperament, attitude, behavior, personality, size and availability are always taken into consideration too.

8. Do not fall for a scam. Many modeling companies will try to take advantage of you and your desire to have a baby model. Know that legitimate agencies make their money from commission, meaning that they only get paid when they find a gig for your baby.

9. Never pay any kind of upfront fee, professional photo fee, or any kind of fee for things like test pictures.

10. Never hand out money to scammers in malls claiming to be a talent scout for an agency.




Monday, April 12, 2010

Pregnancy Weeks 1 & 2

Pregnancy Weeks 1 and 2

Pre-Conception:


Congratulations on your decision to have a baby. Before you actually conceive, there are a few things you may want to take into consideration and prepare for. Make sure you've scheduled a pre-pregnancy visit with your OB-GYN to determine any risks of genetic diseases, environmental hazards and lifestyle changes necessary to ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby. Your doctor will be able to answer any questions or concerns you may have in regards to your health and having a healthy pregnancy.

One of the thing s you may want to consider is taking 0.4 milligrams, or 400 micrograms, of folic acid a day. Folic acid taken a few months before conception has been shown to dramatically reduce the likelihood of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. During the first two weeks of pregnancy you'll experience rapid hormonal fluctuations.

Conception:

Most women begin calculating their pregnancy weeks as soon as they make the decision to conceive. Be aware of your menstrual cycle start and end date. Your OB GYN will calculate your due date from the beginning of your last cycle since it's hard to know exactly when conception occurred. During the first two weeks of pregnancy most women will experience few if any signs and symptoms of pregnancy.

At the beginning of a cycle, about 20 eggs called ova begin to ripen and occupy fluid-filled sacs called follicles. It is during this time that your body prepares itself for ovulation and conception by producing progesterone and estrogen in just the right amounts to encourage your ovaries to release an egg. One of these follicles matures and ruptures, releasing an egg that will travel down the fallopian tube, where it awaits fertilization. This all takes place about 14 days before the end of your cycle. This is the time you're most fertile.

If conception occurs your partner’s sperm will fertilize the egg and the egg will travel up your fallopian tubes to the uterus, its home for the next 38-40 weeks.

Early Pregnancy Signs:

As your body is changing on the inside, you may not see it, but you may be experiencing some of the symptoms of pregnancy. Once you have conceived after a few weeks you may start noticing some or all of the following early signs of pregnancy:

  • Missed or late period
  • Nausea or Vomiting
  • Fatigue or Tiredness Increase
  • Breast Soreness or Sensitive
  • Frequent Urinating

Ovulation:

Some women will also experience some bloating or mild cramping. Cramping in the lower abdomen localized on one side or the other may be a sign that ovulation is occurring, is about to occur or has just occurred. Other signs that ovulation is imminent include increased fertile cervical mucus, which typically appears as clear, slippery and stretchy mucous. Many describe the consistency of fertile cervical mucus as like egg whites.

Another way you can monitor your fertility during pregnancy week 1 and pregnancy week 2 is by monitoring your basal temperature. This is an effective and natural way to determine a woman's most fertile times. Typically a woman's basal body temperature is between 96.0 and 97.5 degrees Fahrenheit just before ovulation. Right after ovulation however the body temperature spikes usually by .4 to .6 degrees. After this time you are no longer fertile. If you do successfully conceive however your temperature will remain elevated throughout your pregnancy.

To measure your basal body temperature accurately you must take your temperature at the same time every morning before rising. That means before you get out of bed to do anything. Its best is you sleep a solid three hour stretch before measuring your basal body temperature, as sleep disturbances can alter the results. They do make special basal body thermometers you can use specifically for this purpose.

You’re at the beginning stages of your pregnancy. Embrace the wonders of your changing body and enjoy the miracle of life growing inside of you.

Track your pregnancy week by week with Babies Online's FREE Pregnancy Calendar

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Pregnancy Skin Care Tips


Pregnancy Skin Care Tips


Pregnacy can be one of the best or worse times for your skin.  The increase of blood flow causes many women to experience what is called the pregnancy glow. Some women may find that they experince very little changes to their complexion, while others may feel like a teenager all over again.

Pregnant women may frequently experience dry, itchy skin on their stomach. The reason for this itchiness is that the skin is being stretched to its limit and it feels dry and very uncomfortable. There is also another skin problem some women experience during pregnancy and that’s skin acne.

Skin Acne During Pregnancy

Women may be more likely to experience problems with acne during pregnancy because of their changing hormonal levels. A word of caution, before using any acne treatment make sure and check with your doctor as some ingredients in the treatment may be harmful to your developing baby. Choosing gentle oil free cleansers and moisturizers, oil-free cosmetics and sunscreen are important. Drinking plenty of water and maintaining a healthy diet will give your skin a healthy glow.

The Pregnancy Mask

Melasma, or the pregnancy mask as it is commonly known is found among 70% of most pregnant women. The symptoms of melasma are dark, irregular patches commonly found on the upper cheek, nose, lips, upper lip, and forehead. These patches often develop gradually over time.

This is quite common and can happen in women of any skin color but seems to be more of a problem for women with darker complexions. It usually fades after pregnancy but with some simple precautions you should be able to avoid it. Melasma does not cause any other symptoms beyond the cosmetic discoloration.

Make sure you wear sunscreen all the time even on cloudy days. Your choice of sunscreen is important for healthy pregnancy skin care. The safest form of sunscreen is one that provides a physical block to the sun's ray's and does not contain any harmful chemicals for your baby.

Body Skin Care


When bathing choose a gentle body wash that does not dry out your skin and apply a good moisturizing lotion or body oil to skin that is still damp. By using moisturizing creams to keep your skin supple and more elastic will help to prevent stretch marks and keep your skin soft and moist. Keeping your pregnancy skin care routine simple, avoiding bad ingredients and protecting your skin from the sun are the best ways to keep your skin healthy and looking good while helping to protect your baby.


Isabella Oliver is delighted to carry a selection of beauty ranges that we hope you will love as much as we do. Providing skincare solutions for pregnancy and long afterwards, This Works is brands that will ensure your skin's silky soft from head to toe. Enjoy feeling truly pampered and protected during this special time, your deserve it.

 
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Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Baby Birth Announcements

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Baby Birth Announcements

The birth of your newborn baby is a memorable time and meant to be shared with all your family and friends. Announce baby's arrival to the world in a special way by sending out birth announcements. The following steps will help you to create the perfect birth announcements to share the exciting news about your baby's "royal arrival."


1. Write down all the information you want to include. Remember to list the baby's full name, date and time of birth, and length and weight. Include both parents' names, and mention the grandparents' names if you like.


2. Select the type of birth-announcement card you will use. Check with card or stationery stores to see the wide range of choices.

3.  Consider purchasing packs of ready-made announcements. Prices begin at about $50 to $75 for 50 cards and envelopes; the price goes up for more expensive paper stock and added embellishments such as stickers or bows.

4.  Splurge for custom-printed announcements if you prefer. These can cost about $200 to $250 for 50 cards and envelopes. You can purchase these through copy and print shops and some specialty card stores.

5.  Consider shopping online to save time. You can e-mail your information to an online stationer and have the cards printed and shipped to your home. Do a keyword search for 'birth announcements' on your favorite search engine to find Internet vendors.

6.  Consider having the envelopes shipped to you before the baby is born. This way you can have them          preaddressed and ready to go as soon as you provide the information on the cards.

7.  Include a photo of the baby with the announcement.

8.  Type up the announcement information and send it to your local newspaper office.

9.Find out if the newspaper will run a photo with the announcement. If you provide one, write the baby's name and address on the back so it doesn't get confused with the photo for another baby's announcement.

Selecting The Perfect Baby Gift

Selecting the Perfect Baby Gift


There is nothing else sweeter than the birth of a newborn baby? Celebrate the "royal arrival" with a baby gift that will be cherished and treasured for many years to come.

When shopping for baby gifts, look for baby gifts that will continue to be useful to the new baby as he or she grows to be a toddler. There is no need to worry about the necessities like diapers or baby shampoo. Use this opportunity to indulge in a keepsake or traditional gift that commemorates the special occasion whether it’s the birth of a baby, the baby shower, or a christening gift.

  • A Blanket of Love
Parents use baby blankets for everything from keeping baby warm to covering up while nursing. They’re used to decorate nurseries, to shade baby from the sun on a walk, and to give baby a soft place to play on the floor.

Baby Blankets make great baby shower gifts. Babies can never have too many blankets. A personalized baby blanket makes a wonderful baby shower gift.

  • Personalized Baby Gifts
New parents love showing off their baby’s name. Help them out by shopping for personalized baby gifts for their baby shower or after the baby’s royal arrival.

Here are some personalized baby gift ideas:

  1. Shop for a personalized clothing embroidered with the new baby’s name.
  2. Have a beautiful piece of nursery art personalized.
  3. Have a keepsake blanket monogrammed.
  4. Shop for a personalized growth chart so the parents can track their little one’s milestones.

  • Gift Baskets
Gift baskets include a bundle of great gifts, and they’re wrapped in adorable and impressive ways. Simply find a theme that you love and place your order. Baby gift baskets are usually centered around themes like stuffed animals, flowers, food or sports. The theme you shop for may depend on whether or not you’re shopping for a baby boy or baby girl.

  • Christening Gifts
One of a new baby’s most touching, precious milestones is his or her christening. It’s traditional for guests and family members to honor this special event with christening gifts. Here are a few tips and suggestions for shopping for a christening gift for the new baby:

  1. Christening gifts or baby baptismal gifts are traditionally kept pure white.
  2. Have a picture frame personalized with the date of the christening
  3. Have a christening blanket embroidered for the baby’s christening ceremony
Click Baby Link To Shop For The Perfect Gift Today.

Baby

Relieving Morning Sickness



             Relieving Morning Sickness





Morning sickness affects an estimated 50 to 90 percent of pregnant women. Most women experience it in the morning, but it can occur at any time during the day or at night. Morning sickness typically occurs in the earlier parts of pregnancy, but some women can experience it throughout their entire pregnancy. Women suffering from morning sickness tend to experience nausea, vomiting, or both.


Common Ways to Help Relieve Morning Sickness:


  • Choose Foods Carefully
Select foods that are high in carbohydrates and low in fat. Salty foods such as saltine crackers have been known to help alleviate nausea. Avoid spicy foods, foods high in grease and fatty foods.

  • Eat Small Meals Often
Healthy snacking and eating small meals throughout the day rather than eating three larger meals will help to keep the nauseated feeling away.

  • Drink Plenty of Fluids
Be sure to drink plenty of water. Drinking ginger ale soda, sucking on peppermint hard candy or ice chips have also been known to help.

  • Avoid Smells That Trigger Nausea
Certain foods or smells can seem to make your nausea worse. Identify those smells and/or foods and avoid them as much as possible.

  • Get Plenty of Fresh Air
Get as much fresh air as you can. Go for a walk outdoors. Fresh air not only cleans out your lungs, it also helps you clear your mind.

  • Vitamin Intake
Be sure to get the proper amount of Vitamin B6, or Vitamin B12, these two vitamins in particular have been known to reduce nausea during pregnancy.

  • Change Your Prenatal Vitamins Schedule
Sometimes the time you take your prenatal vitamins may affect you as well. If you feel queasy after taking your prenatal vitamins in the morning, start taking them at night. Just be sure to take them daily.

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Tuesday, April 6, 2010

6 Ways To Bond With Your Baby

The Importance Of Bonding


Bonding is the process by which parents form a close personal relationship with their newborn baby. The strong ties that parents develop with their baby provide them with an intimate relationships and a sense of security and positive well being.

Bonding is so essential for parents and their newborn babies. Some parents feel an intense attachment within the first minutes or days after their baby's birth. For other parents it may take a little longer especially if the baby is adopted or has been placed in the hospital’s intensive care unit.

Bonding with your baby is probably one of the most pleasurable aspects of infant care and it takes time. It’s not something that takes place within minutes or something that has to be limited to happening within a certain time period after birth. For many parents, the bonding experience occurs in the everyday care you give to your little one. You may not even know it's happening until you observe your baby's first smile and suddenly realize that you're filled with love and joy.

6 Ways to bond with your baby:

1. Touch

A baby's first communication is through touch. Holding your baby close and rocking cradle them in your arms creates a gentle closeness between parents and baby.

2. Breastfeeding

Babies that are breastfed receive bonding on a regular basis with their mother, therefore helping an early bond to develop.

3. Massage

massaging your baby not only creates a bond by touch, it also stimulates the baby’s physical, intellectual and emotional well being.

4. Talk

Talking to your baby in soft and soothing voices gives your baby the security and peace that you are paying close attention to them. Take the opportunity to talk to your baby during bathing times or while you’re just sitting around with baby. Enjoy the time you spend together by telling them how much you love them.

5. Singing

Singing a soft lullaby or song is such a soothing and peaceful experience for babies. The sound of your voice will relax and give your baby the assurance that they are safe and loved.

6. Read

Reading is another way to bond with your baby and at the same time you are helping to strengthen your babies' cognitive skills.  Try reading to baby and putting their name in the book instead of the character. This gives your baby a connection with their name and the story.

Shop Now For Baby's Personalized Books:



Personalized Children's Books. Click here!

Friday, April 2, 2010

Stress and Pregnancy


What you need to know:


Pregnancy is a stressful time for many women. You may be feeling happy, sad and scared—all at the same time. It’s okay to feel like you do.

Very high levels of stress may contribute to preterm birth or low birthweight in full-term babies. Examples of events that may be highly stressful include loss of a job, divorce, or death of a close family member.

What you can do:

Recognize that you do indeed feel stressed. Accepting the fact you are stressed and identifying the situations that cause you stress are the first steps in helping reduce it. You can also help reduce your stress by:

  • Eating regularly and nutritiously and drinking lots of water.

  • Resting when you can—and when your body needs it.

  • Exercising (with your health care provider’s OK).

  • Relaxing by meditating, listening to music or writing in a journal.

  • Resisting any urges to drink alcohol, smoke or take herbal products or drugs (except those prescribed by your health care provider).

  • Staying away from stressful people and stressful situations, when possible.

  • Talking—to your partner, friends, relatives, health care professionals and your employer. If you feel overwhelmed, talk with a trained counselor or other mental health professional.

  • Going to all your prenatal care appointments. This will give you the reassurance that everything is okay with your baby or let your health care provider know about a problem while there is still time to do something about it. You’ll feel less stressed because you know you are doing the best for your baby.

Smoking During Pregnancy


Consider the Facts About Smoking During Pregnancy:


1. When you smoke... so does your baby.

When you smoke you inhale poisons such as nicotine and carbon monoxide. These poisons get into the placenta, which is the tissue that connects you to your baby and sends oxygen and nutrients and eliminates wastes. These poisons keep your baby from getting the proper supply of nutrients and oxygen that he or she needs to grow.

2. Smoking during pregnancy can cause low-birth weight, preterm delivery, and infant death.

According to the American Lung Association, smoking during pregnancy is estimated to account for 20 to 30 % of low-birth weight babies, up to 14 % of preterm deliveries, and about 10 % of all infant deaths.

3. Second-hand smoke can also cause problems for your baby.

According to the American Lung Association, new studies have shown that if a woman is around second-hand smoke during pregnancy, there are added risks. You have a greater chance of having a baby that weighs too little and may have health problems.

4. There can be long term health risks for your baby.

Smoking during pregnancy can cause your baby to have more colds, lung problems, learning disabilities, and physical growth problems.

5. Nicotine replacement therapy such as the patch can still affect your baby.

Before using any nicotine replacement or cessation aids, you should discuss it with your health care provider. You and your provider can discuss what is more beneficial for you and your baby.

The Benefits for You and Baby If You Don’t Smoke:

• Lowers the risk of your baby being born underweight or too early

• Increases the amount of nutrients and oxygen that your baby will receive

• Lowers the risk of your baby having health problems

• Increases the chances that your baby will go home with you from the hospital

• Lowers your risk of future health problems such as heart disease, cancer, and lung problems

• Gives you more energy to go through your pregnancy

• Reduces your risk of dying

• Saves you money

(See More On Pregnancy and Smoking In Our Video Section)