Being a Mom – Reflections on Mother’s Day
Since my daughter was born a little over 2 years ago, Mother’s Day has been a very special day for me. After all, I had carried her for 9 months and spent countless sleepless nights taking care of her to earn the title “Mother”.
But this year I really started thinking about my mom. This Mother’s Day I feel a completely new level of gratitude and respect for my Mom. I have gained a much better understanding of what she went through and how much she scarified to raise me.
Let’s take a little closer look at what “Mom” did and does for you.
Pregnancy
Remember those first few months of pregnancy with the excitement, anxiousness and – who could forget it- the morning sickness? Your Mom went through all of that as well, and she did it without being able to access every conceivable piece of information about pregnancy online and without all the early tests we have now to ensure us that everything is fine with our baby.
Mom also shared the kicks to the bladder and the backaches that come later in pregnancy. And don’t forget about labor. Well, who could forget labor? Mom’s been there, done that as well. And she probably did it with a lot less medicinal help than we did!
Infancy
Then the real joy of motherhood begins - no sleep for months, midnight feedings and endless diaper changes. Could you imagine surviving without disposable diapers? I couldn’t, but somehow my Mom managed to wash millions of dirty cloth diapers while taking care of me.
I am sure she also got the same words of advice from everyone around her about how to properly care for the little infant and worried about all the possible germs the baby could be exposed to with everyone wanting to hold her.
Toddler
Just like you, Mom eventually made it through your infancy and met the toddler version of you. When I recently complained about my daughter’s “terrible two’s” to my Mom, she just laughed and told me it was payback for all my tantrums when I was my daughter’s age.
Did she worry as much as I did about picking the right time to wean her off the bottle, the pacifier, to get her potty trained? Did she go through all the heartbreak and crying, and - as far as potty training goes - the mess that comes with it? I am sure she did. And like any good mother, we both supported the first attempts at independence. So what if my daughter decides to wear rain boots with her summer dress? I feel sure there is a picture of me somewhere in a very similar outfit.
Preschooler
So you and your Mom finally make it past the terrible twos. By now, if not earlier, you are probably torn between kids and career. If your Mom is anything like mine, she ran into the same problem. Should you stay home and be there for the kids 24/7, or should you continue to work to be able to afford the kind of things you want to be able to give your kids?
At this stage Moms also spend a lot of time getting their kids ready for school. All along you have probably been reading to your child, teaching her numbers and colors, just like your own mother did.
School
Your kids may or may not be in school yet, but even if they aren’t, I am sure you can relate to making sure your child gets to school on time every morning, helping with homework and various school projects and attending school functions. Your Mom was probably there with you every step of the way too. She shared your joys and pains. She comforted you when the other kids made fun of you, just like you will with your kids.
I feel sure you have many more special memories about your Mom that you haven’t thought about in years. Why don’t you pick up the phone and call her? Spend some time with her. If you take the time and make the effort, you will find a great friend in your mother if you are not already at that point in your relationship. Take her on a “girls-day-out”. Go shopping, have lunch and get some pedicures together. Just enjoy her company and don’t forget to thank her for all she has done for you. After all, you wouldn’t be the great woman you are today without her.
They say there is a great woman behind every successful man, but there is also a wonderful mother behind every great woman.
Happy Mother’s Day.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Back to School 101
(ARA) - It’s time to dump your summer crush, get a new hairstyle, and start a new school year. It’s also time to make your out-dated room into the pad where everyone wants to hang out. No need to spend all of your summer babysitting money to make it happen.
Here are a few tips from Daryle Gibbs, head of Product Development at Pier 1 Imports, on how to make your room a place where you’ll want to be grounded.
Organization 101
You won’t get an A in class if you don’t get it together. Go through your desk and toss your old junk -- including the notes from 5th grade math class. Try lined wicker baskets for desk or shelf storage. “Fabric boxes with lids are good for storing trendy pieces you’re not quite ready to part with, and CD racks are a must. Music CDs and DVDs can clutter up a room faster than you can say Limp Bizkit,” says Gibbs. “Another great option is a decorative trunk. You can store love letters and yearbooks inside and when the lid is shut, you have extra seating for study sessions.”
Now that you’ve attained “controlled clutter” you’ll know right where everything is.
World Cultures Class: Bohemian Rhapsody
And since you have passed organization class, you can finally see the floor! Think about your personal style and what you want your room to say about you. Are you a bohemian kind of gal? No problem -- you don’t have to live in India to get the look. “Shimmery, bright, fabrics in throws, window treatments and beaded silk pillows are all the rage right now. Add a lush, luxurious Flokati rug from Pier 1 and you’ll be bohemian glamorous,” says Gibbs. With Moroccan hurricanes for lighting and floor pillows for lounging, you’re all set to have people over to watch “Friends.”
Geography: Seeking Asian Inspiration
Maybe you’re an Asian-inspired gal like Gwyneth and Madonna, carrying your yoga mat under your arm around town. “Clean space, good color and choice accessories can bring Zen to any room,” says Gibbs. “Hanging inexpensive paper lanterns creates a meditative feeling and bamboo window blinds are an easy fix. A comfortable Papasan chair with a neutral colored cushion against a painted red wall is very chic -- you always want to look chic when you’re studying world history. Asian pottery and dishes make creative wall décor -- don’t be afraid to step outside the box when decorating.” Accessories with gold accents, charms and beading -- used sparingly -- can also work into an Asian-themed room.
Home Economics: Be Smart with Your Money
“This is the perfect time for students, who are often on a limited budget, to take advantage of the many retailers that offer special incentives to help you find everything you need to make your room your own,” says Gibbs. Pier 1 Imports offers a 15 percent discount with your student ID through Sunday, Sept. 28. “People should also take advantage of the free decorating advice that stores often offer. They can help you achieve the look you want and save you time.”
Here are a few tips from Daryle Gibbs, head of Product Development at Pier 1 Imports, on how to make your room a place where you’ll want to be grounded.
Organization 101
You won’t get an A in class if you don’t get it together. Go through your desk and toss your old junk -- including the notes from 5th grade math class. Try lined wicker baskets for desk or shelf storage. “Fabric boxes with lids are good for storing trendy pieces you’re not quite ready to part with, and CD racks are a must. Music CDs and DVDs can clutter up a room faster than you can say Limp Bizkit,” says Gibbs. “Another great option is a decorative trunk. You can store love letters and yearbooks inside and when the lid is shut, you have extra seating for study sessions.”
Now that you’ve attained “controlled clutter” you’ll know right where everything is.
World Cultures Class: Bohemian Rhapsody
And since you have passed organization class, you can finally see the floor! Think about your personal style and what you want your room to say about you. Are you a bohemian kind of gal? No problem -- you don’t have to live in India to get the look. “Shimmery, bright, fabrics in throws, window treatments and beaded silk pillows are all the rage right now. Add a lush, luxurious Flokati rug from Pier 1 and you’ll be bohemian glamorous,” says Gibbs. With Moroccan hurricanes for lighting and floor pillows for lounging, you’re all set to have people over to watch “Friends.”
Geography: Seeking Asian Inspiration
Maybe you’re an Asian-inspired gal like Gwyneth and Madonna, carrying your yoga mat under your arm around town. “Clean space, good color and choice accessories can bring Zen to any room,” says Gibbs. “Hanging inexpensive paper lanterns creates a meditative feeling and bamboo window blinds are an easy fix. A comfortable Papasan chair with a neutral colored cushion against a painted red wall is very chic -- you always want to look chic when you’re studying world history. Asian pottery and dishes make creative wall décor -- don’t be afraid to step outside the box when decorating.” Accessories with gold accents, charms and beading -- used sparingly -- can also work into an Asian-themed room.
Home Economics: Be Smart with Your Money
“This is the perfect time for students, who are often on a limited budget, to take advantage of the many retailers that offer special incentives to help you find everything you need to make your room your own,” says Gibbs. Pier 1 Imports offers a 15 percent discount with your student ID through Sunday, Sept. 28. “People should also take advantage of the free decorating advice that stores often offer. They can help you achieve the look you want and save you time.”
Baby Strollers - Consider Your Budget
Since you got the news, you have begun gather the things your new bundle of joy will be needing. Decisions for your first baby may seem overwhelming at first. The type of stroller you will use for your baby is one of the biggest decisions you will need to make. When you are choosing from among the many different types of baby strollers, one of the first things to consider is your budget.
Stroller costs can range from $10 to $400 and higher. The very light weight umbrella strollers are general on the lower end. The advantage of these strollers is that they can be folded up nicely, and can store almost anywhere. The higher prices of strollers may indicate more features and better quality.
The features that come with strollers are many and you should know which ones are important to you. A convertible travel system may be your preference over a regular stroller and a car seat. Travel systems have a stay in the car base, a stroller frame to attach the infant carrier/ car safety seat to.
For your newborn baby these are especially great. Play trays with places for a bottle or juice cup come on strollers. Canopies with a vinyl window to let you keep an eye on the baby, come with many strollers. Strollers are equipped with breaks that are attached to both rear wheels and applied with your foot and also a wrist brake strap that is used with the foot brake.
It provides a bit of extra safety preventing the stroller from rolling away while you are stopped while you use have the strap on. A parent tray that is placed over the handle bar are coming with many strollers as well as a large storage basket under the seat(s).
There is space for a cup of coffee or soda, your cell phone, your keys and space to hold a snack. Now on many strollers the handle bars are reversible and can be moved from front to rear or vice versa and they are height adjustable. To save your back use the height adjustable feature and you can see your baby while he rides if necessary by using the reversible handle bar.
The seat consideration is next. If the seat reclines does it recline enough so that your newborn can lie almost flat. Is the seat comfortable and well padded for your baby? Is the padding for the seat removable for washing? Many upper end strollers have blankets with snaps that attach under the seat.
These blankets on your baby's stroller like a bunting on wheels. Detachable rain hoods are used to protect your baby from wind and harsh sunlight. There is another twist to your decision about a baby stroller. An almost brand-new stroller is available for free from your friend.
She agrees to have the stroller cleaned and ready for you. Is it a safe choice to put your baby in a used stroller? There are things you will need to look at before you place your baby in it and it can be a good choice for your baby and you. No cracks, should be in the frame, and there should be no dents or gaps.
Bolts and screws all must be in place. Anything less could seriously hurt your baby and cause an accident. On the frame are there any sharp spots? Are any screws sticking out that could cut your baby or are loose? The handle bar and frame, are they properly joined? Are there leaks in the air pressure of the wheels or are they solid?
Regarding the wheels, are they worn? Do you need to possibly replace the wheels? Are the wheels turning as they should be? Do the axels seem straight? Do the brakes operate appropriately and hold when they are applied? Does the seat hold its position in the upright position or the reclining position?
A serious injury could happen to your baby if the seat does not hold its place well. Does the lining fit the frame properly and is it clean? Strollers come with a wide variety of options, types, and styles. Two or more children can use multi-seated strollers. Tandem, side by side, and stadium seating (tandem seating with a raised rear seat) which allows the second child to see more than the back of a head are available.
Jogging strollers have one large wheel out in front and two rear wheels. Also available for jogging strollers is multiple seating. Enjoy your outings with your baby or children whether the stroller is used or new.
Stroller costs can range from $10 to $400 and higher. The very light weight umbrella strollers are general on the lower end. The advantage of these strollers is that they can be folded up nicely, and can store almost anywhere. The higher prices of strollers may indicate more features and better quality.
The features that come with strollers are many and you should know which ones are important to you. A convertible travel system may be your preference over a regular stroller and a car seat. Travel systems have a stay in the car base, a stroller frame to attach the infant carrier/ car safety seat to.
For your newborn baby these are especially great. Play trays with places for a bottle or juice cup come on strollers. Canopies with a vinyl window to let you keep an eye on the baby, come with many strollers. Strollers are equipped with breaks that are attached to both rear wheels and applied with your foot and also a wrist brake strap that is used with the foot brake.
It provides a bit of extra safety preventing the stroller from rolling away while you are stopped while you use have the strap on. A parent tray that is placed over the handle bar are coming with many strollers as well as a large storage basket under the seat(s).
There is space for a cup of coffee or soda, your cell phone, your keys and space to hold a snack. Now on many strollers the handle bars are reversible and can be moved from front to rear or vice versa and they are height adjustable. To save your back use the height adjustable feature and you can see your baby while he rides if necessary by using the reversible handle bar.
The seat consideration is next. If the seat reclines does it recline enough so that your newborn can lie almost flat. Is the seat comfortable and well padded for your baby? Is the padding for the seat removable for washing? Many upper end strollers have blankets with snaps that attach under the seat.
These blankets on your baby's stroller like a bunting on wheels. Detachable rain hoods are used to protect your baby from wind and harsh sunlight. There is another twist to your decision about a baby stroller. An almost brand-new stroller is available for free from your friend.
She agrees to have the stroller cleaned and ready for you. Is it a safe choice to put your baby in a used stroller? There are things you will need to look at before you place your baby in it and it can be a good choice for your baby and you. No cracks, should be in the frame, and there should be no dents or gaps.
Bolts and screws all must be in place. Anything less could seriously hurt your baby and cause an accident. On the frame are there any sharp spots? Are any screws sticking out that could cut your baby or are loose? The handle bar and frame, are they properly joined? Are there leaks in the air pressure of the wheels or are they solid?
Regarding the wheels, are they worn? Do you need to possibly replace the wheels? Are the wheels turning as they should be? Do the axels seem straight? Do the brakes operate appropriately and hold when they are applied? Does the seat hold its position in the upright position or the reclining position?
A serious injury could happen to your baby if the seat does not hold its place well. Does the lining fit the frame properly and is it clean? Strollers come with a wide variety of options, types, and styles. Two or more children can use multi-seated strollers. Tandem, side by side, and stadium seating (tandem seating with a raised rear seat) which allows the second child to see more than the back of a head are available.
Jogging strollers have one large wheel out in front and two rear wheels. Also available for jogging strollers is multiple seating. Enjoy your outings with your baby or children whether the stroller is used or new.
Baby Shower Planning and Hosting
Planning and organization are crucial to hosting a successful baby shower. Below are some important topics to consider when planning:
1) Who will host the shower?
The person that plans and hosts the shower can be anyone, but is usually someone who is close to the new or expecting mother. Normally, a close friend or family member will do all the preparations, but sometimes the new mother will help as well, particularly with the guest list. Sometimes a small group of friends can plan the event together.
In the event of a surprise baby shower, planning must occur more carefully and invitations should be sent out in secret. In this circumstance, people who are not as close to the new mother will be involved in acquiring supplies and getting the word out.
2) Who should be invited?
Be sure to invite all the mother's friends and family to the event. If planning a surprise party, make sure that everyone you tell helps spread the word. A close friend or family member may know most of the mother's friends, but it can also be helpful to ask co-workers and other friends to make sure that no one is left out.
Also, men are increasingly being included in these parties. An all women's shower can be different than a shower with both men and women, so the planner should consider these things as well.
If other young children will be in attendance, then make sure to plan events for them too. Not planning for children is a common oversight that adults make when planning parties of this nature. Baby shower games are a fun way for both children and adults to celebrate.
3) Where and when should the shower occur?
The party should be held at a location that is comfortable to the new mother. Oftentimes, the most common place to host a party is at a friend's or family member's home. In this case, the mother will not have to worry about cleaning up afterwards.
Sometimes, the party is hosted at the mother's place. This can be convenient as well because the mother doesn't have to go anywhere. Friends of the mother can help with the clean up afterwards.
For larger baby showers, banquet halls or other locations can be rented. Other places include parks, restaurants, catered dining rooms, or anywhere else that might be appropriate. It is okay to plan things differently as long as the mother and everyone else has a good time.
1) Who will host the shower?
The person that plans and hosts the shower can be anyone, but is usually someone who is close to the new or expecting mother. Normally, a close friend or family member will do all the preparations, but sometimes the new mother will help as well, particularly with the guest list. Sometimes a small group of friends can plan the event together.
In the event of a surprise baby shower, planning must occur more carefully and invitations should be sent out in secret. In this circumstance, people who are not as close to the new mother will be involved in acquiring supplies and getting the word out.
2) Who should be invited?
Be sure to invite all the mother's friends and family to the event. If planning a surprise party, make sure that everyone you tell helps spread the word. A close friend or family member may know most of the mother's friends, but it can also be helpful to ask co-workers and other friends to make sure that no one is left out.
Also, men are increasingly being included in these parties. An all women's shower can be different than a shower with both men and women, so the planner should consider these things as well.
If other young children will be in attendance, then make sure to plan events for them too. Not planning for children is a common oversight that adults make when planning parties of this nature. Baby shower games are a fun way for both children and adults to celebrate.
3) Where and when should the shower occur?
The party should be held at a location that is comfortable to the new mother. Oftentimes, the most common place to host a party is at a friend's or family member's home. In this case, the mother will not have to worry about cleaning up afterwards.
Sometimes, the party is hosted at the mother's place. This can be convenient as well because the mother doesn't have to go anywhere. Friends of the mother can help with the clean up afterwards.
For larger baby showers, banquet halls or other locations can be rented. Other places include parks, restaurants, catered dining rooms, or anywhere else that might be appropriate. It is okay to plan things differently as long as the mother and everyone else has a good time.
Baby Shower Hosting 101
Are you ready to host the best baby shower ever but don't know where to start? Baby showers are fun, but planning one can be tedious. In this article we'll cover the basics to get you started.
So who should host the baby shower? Traditionally, only non-relatives are to host a baby shower -- co-workers, church groups, etc.; however, it has become more common and acceptable for mothers and sisters to host showers too. The important thing is that someone take the initiative to host the shower -- what a wonderful display of caring for a growing family and a special way to help welcome a new life into the world. It is also perfectly acceptable for more than one person to host a baby shower. It can be fun for a group of friends to share the responsibilities and excitement of planning and hosting this special event.
When it comes to inviting guests, you likely have some idea of those you want to invite to the shower, but it is always a safe bet to run the guest list by the mom-to-be to ensure you haven't left anyone out.
You can invite guests via a phone call or an e-mail (be sure they check their mail regularly!), but the written invitation is still the most preferable way to kick off a shower. You can even find baby shower ecard invitations online. Just do a simple search online and I'm sure you'll find one. No matter what type of invitation you use, be sure to include pertinent information -- whether it regards a theme, a note of where the mom-to-be has registered, a map or written directions to the shower, or any special item you want the guests to bring for the mom.
Showers are normally given a month or two before the mom's due date. It's a good idea to give the mom enough time following the shower to shop for items she didn't receive, yet wants to have before the baby arrives. And of course you don't want to hold the shower too close to baby's due date in case he or she makes an early arrival!
Baby showers are normally held in the home of the hostess. If desired though, you can certainly host a shower at a church fellowship area, a favorite restaurant, or even at a banquet hall -- it really all depends on what atmosphere you are looking for and how much money you want to spend. If the shower will be held in a restaurant, make reservations at least two weeks prior to the date. At one- week prior, one of the organizers should speak with the manager to confirm the details.
The shower should last around one and a half to two hours. Things may wind down early or they may likely continue on as guests chat together.
There are many variations on showers, but we have devised a general "schedule" for baby showers. You can add/remove any part and re-order it to your liking.
So who should host the baby shower? Traditionally, only non-relatives are to host a baby shower -- co-workers, church groups, etc.; however, it has become more common and acceptable for mothers and sisters to host showers too. The important thing is that someone take the initiative to host the shower -- what a wonderful display of caring for a growing family and a special way to help welcome a new life into the world. It is also perfectly acceptable for more than one person to host a baby shower. It can be fun for a group of friends to share the responsibilities and excitement of planning and hosting this special event.
When it comes to inviting guests, you likely have some idea of those you want to invite to the shower, but it is always a safe bet to run the guest list by the mom-to-be to ensure you haven't left anyone out.
You can invite guests via a phone call or an e-mail (be sure they check their mail regularly!), but the written invitation is still the most preferable way to kick off a shower. You can even find baby shower ecard invitations online. Just do a simple search online and I'm sure you'll find one. No matter what type of invitation you use, be sure to include pertinent information -- whether it regards a theme, a note of where the mom-to-be has registered, a map or written directions to the shower, or any special item you want the guests to bring for the mom.
Showers are normally given a month or two before the mom's due date. It's a good idea to give the mom enough time following the shower to shop for items she didn't receive, yet wants to have before the baby arrives. And of course you don't want to hold the shower too close to baby's due date in case he or she makes an early arrival!
Baby showers are normally held in the home of the hostess. If desired though, you can certainly host a shower at a church fellowship area, a favorite restaurant, or even at a banquet hall -- it really all depends on what atmosphere you are looking for and how much money you want to spend. If the shower will be held in a restaurant, make reservations at least two weeks prior to the date. At one- week prior, one of the organizers should speak with the manager to confirm the details.
The shower should last around one and a half to two hours. Things may wind down early or they may likely continue on as guests chat together.
There are many variations on showers, but we have devised a general "schedule" for baby showers. You can add/remove any part and re-order it to your liking.
Baby Shower Hostess Gifts
As many mothers know, a baby shower can take many hours of work to create the perfect party. So, how do you show your appreciation to the hostess? Why not give her a thank you gift? A baby shower hostess gift can make the hostess feel extra special. The hostess gifts do not have to be costly. It's the thought that counts. Show her your appreciation for the time and effort that she has put into the baby shower with some of the following gift ideas.
Jewlery. You could go in with some other people that will be attending the baby shower and buy a nice bracelet or earrings. These are sure to make her feel special.
Cook books. Anyone who enjoys putting together a party probably also loves to cook, so why not find her a unique and fun cook book. Look for something out of the ordinary. Everyone has cook books, but she'd probably enjoy some recipes with a new twist.
Chocolates. Every girl loves chocolates. Splurge a little and look for the chocolates that are in a special box. You might even consider getting her chocolates and a rose.
Wine and cheese. This gift isn't just popular in Italy. It's the perfect gift for anyone who enjoys entertaining guests. Look for a special variety of cheeses that she can serve at her next get together or just for a relaxing evening.
Candles. These would be nice gifts for almost any occasion. With so many scents to choose from, you're sure to find something the hostess will enjoy.
Gift certificates are also another great gift. Find out what her favorite restaurant, spa, or store is and this can be a simple gift that she is sure to love.
If homemade gifts are one of your talents, this could be the perfect gift for your hostess. These are extra special because of their personal touch.
Make her feel special by placing the gift in a basket or using some special wrapping paper. A baby shower hostess gift is a simple and thoughtful gift that she's not soon to forget.
Jewlery. You could go in with some other people that will be attending the baby shower and buy a nice bracelet or earrings. These are sure to make her feel special.
Cook books. Anyone who enjoys putting together a party probably also loves to cook, so why not find her a unique and fun cook book. Look for something out of the ordinary. Everyone has cook books, but she'd probably enjoy some recipes with a new twist.
Chocolates. Every girl loves chocolates. Splurge a little and look for the chocolates that are in a special box. You might even consider getting her chocolates and a rose.
Wine and cheese. This gift isn't just popular in Italy. It's the perfect gift for anyone who enjoys entertaining guests. Look for a special variety of cheeses that she can serve at her next get together or just for a relaxing evening.
Candles. These would be nice gifts for almost any occasion. With so many scents to choose from, you're sure to find something the hostess will enjoy.
Gift certificates are also another great gift. Find out what her favorite restaurant, spa, or store is and this can be a simple gift that she is sure to love.
If homemade gifts are one of your talents, this could be the perfect gift for your hostess. These are extra special because of their personal touch.
Make her feel special by placing the gift in a basket or using some special wrapping paper. A baby shower hostess gift is a simple and thoughtful gift that she's not soon to forget.
Baby Shower Gift Ideas
Selecting a present for a new mom or dad can be a challenging task. Baby showers are a great way to help support a new mother with her new baby. New mothers can sign up at a gift registry to avoid duplicate gifts and to indicate her gift preferences. Here are some good gift ideas for baby showers:
1) Diapers - Diapers are a popular gift for baby showers. Every new mother will need plenty of diapers for her new baby and this is a very safe gift to get if you do not have any other ideas or don't know what other people are getting.
2) Personalized Blanket - A personalized blanket is a nice gift for a new baby. Having the name on the blanket gives it a personal touch and makes it a great keepsake even after the baby outgrows it.
3) Stuffed Animals - A new baby needs plenty of toys to stay entertained. Stuffed animals are always a favorite among newborns. A teddy bear is the most traditional gift, but other stuffed animals are also acceptable gifts.
4) Baby Gift Baskets - Baby gift baskets can contain a wide variety of baby supplies in them, including baby wipes, diapers, clothes, and just about anything else that can fit. Gift baskets can also be taylored to the new mother as a token of appreciation. Such gifts can include gourmet foods, candles, and other decorative keepsakes.
5) Baby Clothes - A new baby can never have too many clothes. Clothes can come in a variety of styles and may include hats, booties, and other accessories.
6) Baby Accessories - New babies require many accessories. Baby bibs are popular as well as blankies. Other ideas include baby bottles, pacifiers, and high chairs.
7) Shirts for Mom and Dad - T-shirts can be a nice gift for new moms and dads. Some common sayings on these shirts are "New Mommy" or "New Daddy". Some shirts also say "Mom to Be" or "Dad to Be" - a way to let everyone know that a new child is on the way.
8) Keepsakes - Various keepsakes will also make nice presents at a baby shower. Baby picture frames can hold pictures of the new baby or family for years to come. Other keepsakes include figurines and decorative candles.
1) Diapers - Diapers are a popular gift for baby showers. Every new mother will need plenty of diapers for her new baby and this is a very safe gift to get if you do not have any other ideas or don't know what other people are getting.
2) Personalized Blanket - A personalized blanket is a nice gift for a new baby. Having the name on the blanket gives it a personal touch and makes it a great keepsake even after the baby outgrows it.
3) Stuffed Animals - A new baby needs plenty of toys to stay entertained. Stuffed animals are always a favorite among newborns. A teddy bear is the most traditional gift, but other stuffed animals are also acceptable gifts.
4) Baby Gift Baskets - Baby gift baskets can contain a wide variety of baby supplies in them, including baby wipes, diapers, clothes, and just about anything else that can fit. Gift baskets can also be taylored to the new mother as a token of appreciation. Such gifts can include gourmet foods, candles, and other decorative keepsakes.
5) Baby Clothes - A new baby can never have too many clothes. Clothes can come in a variety of styles and may include hats, booties, and other accessories.
6) Baby Accessories - New babies require many accessories. Baby bibs are popular as well as blankies. Other ideas include baby bottles, pacifiers, and high chairs.
7) Shirts for Mom and Dad - T-shirts can be a nice gift for new moms and dads. Some common sayings on these shirts are "New Mommy" or "New Daddy". Some shirts also say "Mom to Be" or "Dad to Be" - a way to let everyone know that a new child is on the way.
8) Keepsakes - Various keepsakes will also make nice presents at a baby shower. Baby picture frames can hold pictures of the new baby or family for years to come. Other keepsakes include figurines and decorative candles.
Baby Proof Your Home - Frequently Asked Questions
Keeping your baby safe at all times is one of your greatest concerns and responsibilities. There is so much to consider and it is very easy to overlook something that might be fairly obvious to some but escape others. Things like covering electrical outlets, putting up baby gates and turning pot handles to the rear of the stove are discussed in this article and is presented in a question and answer format.
Q. What is the best way to approach baby-proofing our home?
The best way is to see your home from the eyes of your child. It is recommended that you get down on your hands and knees and crawl around your home. This will enable you to see hazards you might not have recognized at your full height. Are electrical outlets in baby’s reach or are there electric cords hanging down that your baby can pull on or get tangled in? Does your furniture have sharp corners? Are there precious items at your baby’s level that should be put up out of reach?
Q. What is the most hazardous situation for my baby?
Any situation that places your baby in harm’s way is the worst situation for your baby. The most hazardous situation for your baby is choking or anything that might cause him to stop breathing. The most hazardous situation for you baby is one that caused an injury that could have been prevented.
Q. What are some things I need to consider when I am baby-proofing our home?
There are many things to consider. Your baby is a quick mover so it is never really safe to leave him unattended if at all possible. Consider putting up all valuables and breakable items out of reach of your baby’s. Anything that is small enough to fit in his mouth should be removed. If in doubt as to whether any one item is small enough to fit in your baby’s mouth and pose a choking hazard take an empty toilet paper roll. If it fits inside the tube it go in his mouth and possibly harm him.
Q. Why do I need baby safety gates?
Baby safety gates can be placed in doorways or at the top and bottom of staircases. The gates can prevent your baby from getting into the kitchen or bathroom. They can also prevent your baby from tumbling down the stairs or climbing the stairs and falling. The mesh or the holes in the gate should not be large enough for your baby to put his toes through to climb the gate. Gates now are being made to operate hands-free or one handed. There are gates being made with the bars going vertical instead of horizontal reducing the chances of your baby being able to climb the gate.
Q. What are electric outlet covers or locks?
Electric outlet covers look like plastic plugs when they are inserted and prevents your baby from sticking his fingers or something else in the outlet and getting a serious shock. Electric outlet lock plates can replace typical outlets and in order to insert anything into the outlet the plug has to be inserted and turned.
Q. It was suggested to me that I have motion alarms on our doors and windows, why would I need them?
Some kids are very active and able to do things you would be very surprise about. Children have been known to open windows and fall through screens and become seriously injured. There are many news stories where toddlers have gotten up in the night and unbeknownst to their parents open the door and go outside. Some are found wandering around and others are not so lucky. Some windows now come with a mechanism to prevent the window from being opened more than an inch or two. The alarms will alert you to the door opening and you can intervene before something tragic happens.
Q. What kind of baby-proofing products are available?
There all kinds of baby products available and most are reasonably priced. There are motion sensors, corner cushions for sharp corners on furniture. There are electric outlet covers, cabinet and drawer locks of different types and cord retractors for window blinds.
Q. Is there anything available to protect my baby from getting in between banister posts?
There is netting available that can be attached with screws that will prevent your baby from getting between the banister posts. This product is similar to the deck netting available for outdoor decks.
Q. Are there baby proofing checklists available?
Yes there are baby-proofing checklists available. You can locate them online and they are printable. Specialty stores, hospitals, and pediatricians are all possible sources for such checklists.
Q. How can I baby proof my nursery?
You can baby proof your nursery by keeping your baby’s crib away from windows and blinds cords. Put outlet protectors on all outlets. Make certain to dress your baby in sleepers rather than using blankets. When your baby begins sitting up place the mattress in the lowest position. Do not put stuffed animals or pillows in the crib with your little one, they could nestle up to them and suffocate.
Q. How can I baby proof my kitchen?
Put all cleaners or chemicals up out of reach of your baby. Make sure all drawers and cabinet doors. While cooking put all pot handles toward the rear of the stove. Do not allow electric cords to hang over counters where your baby can pull on them. Better still, if possible unless you are feeding your baby keep him out of the kitchen.
Q. How can I baby proof my car?
You can baby proof your car by making sure the car seat your baby will ride in is installed correctly and that it is the correct one for your baby. Remove all loose items that could become missiles in a crash or quick stop, and place them in the trunk.
In Conclusion
The bottom line of baby proofing your home and your car is to be mindful that the most common things can be hazardous to a baby or small child. You can obtain a checklist of things to look for when baby-proofing your home. Window blinds cords should be shortened and outlets should be covered. Look at your home and car through your baby’s eyes, you might be surprised at hazards you miss when you are looking from adult height
Q. What is the best way to approach baby-proofing our home?
The best way is to see your home from the eyes of your child. It is recommended that you get down on your hands and knees and crawl around your home. This will enable you to see hazards you might not have recognized at your full height. Are electrical outlets in baby’s reach or are there electric cords hanging down that your baby can pull on or get tangled in? Does your furniture have sharp corners? Are there precious items at your baby’s level that should be put up out of reach?
Q. What is the most hazardous situation for my baby?
Any situation that places your baby in harm’s way is the worst situation for your baby. The most hazardous situation for your baby is choking or anything that might cause him to stop breathing. The most hazardous situation for you baby is one that caused an injury that could have been prevented.
Q. What are some things I need to consider when I am baby-proofing our home?
There are many things to consider. Your baby is a quick mover so it is never really safe to leave him unattended if at all possible. Consider putting up all valuables and breakable items out of reach of your baby’s. Anything that is small enough to fit in his mouth should be removed. If in doubt as to whether any one item is small enough to fit in your baby’s mouth and pose a choking hazard take an empty toilet paper roll. If it fits inside the tube it go in his mouth and possibly harm him.
Q. Why do I need baby safety gates?
Baby safety gates can be placed in doorways or at the top and bottom of staircases. The gates can prevent your baby from getting into the kitchen or bathroom. They can also prevent your baby from tumbling down the stairs or climbing the stairs and falling. The mesh or the holes in the gate should not be large enough for your baby to put his toes through to climb the gate. Gates now are being made to operate hands-free or one handed. There are gates being made with the bars going vertical instead of horizontal reducing the chances of your baby being able to climb the gate.
Q. What are electric outlet covers or locks?
Electric outlet covers look like plastic plugs when they are inserted and prevents your baby from sticking his fingers or something else in the outlet and getting a serious shock. Electric outlet lock plates can replace typical outlets and in order to insert anything into the outlet the plug has to be inserted and turned.
Q. It was suggested to me that I have motion alarms on our doors and windows, why would I need them?
Some kids are very active and able to do things you would be very surprise about. Children have been known to open windows and fall through screens and become seriously injured. There are many news stories where toddlers have gotten up in the night and unbeknownst to their parents open the door and go outside. Some are found wandering around and others are not so lucky. Some windows now come with a mechanism to prevent the window from being opened more than an inch or two. The alarms will alert you to the door opening and you can intervene before something tragic happens.
Q. What kind of baby-proofing products are available?
There all kinds of baby products available and most are reasonably priced. There are motion sensors, corner cushions for sharp corners on furniture. There are electric outlet covers, cabinet and drawer locks of different types and cord retractors for window blinds.
Q. Is there anything available to protect my baby from getting in between banister posts?
There is netting available that can be attached with screws that will prevent your baby from getting between the banister posts. This product is similar to the deck netting available for outdoor decks.
Q. Are there baby proofing checklists available?
Yes there are baby-proofing checklists available. You can locate them online and they are printable. Specialty stores, hospitals, and pediatricians are all possible sources for such checklists.
Q. How can I baby proof my nursery?
You can baby proof your nursery by keeping your baby’s crib away from windows and blinds cords. Put outlet protectors on all outlets. Make certain to dress your baby in sleepers rather than using blankets. When your baby begins sitting up place the mattress in the lowest position. Do not put stuffed animals or pillows in the crib with your little one, they could nestle up to them and suffocate.
Q. How can I baby proof my kitchen?
Put all cleaners or chemicals up out of reach of your baby. Make sure all drawers and cabinet doors. While cooking put all pot handles toward the rear of the stove. Do not allow electric cords to hang over counters where your baby can pull on them. Better still, if possible unless you are feeding your baby keep him out of the kitchen.
Q. How can I baby proof my car?
You can baby proof your car by making sure the car seat your baby will ride in is installed correctly and that it is the correct one for your baby. Remove all loose items that could become missiles in a crash or quick stop, and place them in the trunk.
In Conclusion
The bottom line of baby proofing your home and your car is to be mindful that the most common things can be hazardous to a baby or small child. You can obtain a checklist of things to look for when baby-proofing your home. Window blinds cords should be shortened and outlets should be covered. Look at your home and car through your baby’s eyes, you might be surprised at hazards you miss when you are looking from adult height
Baby Nursery Furniture A Booming Market
Baby nursery furniture and baby crib sets are a growing category, representing $1.1 billion at retail last year, and expected to grow to $1.4 billion by 2009. Today’s baby furniture varies quite a bit in style, price and selection, and at over a billion dollars, there is room for a wide range of manufacturers in the nursery furniture field.
There are many top manufacturers in the nursery furniture category. The baby furniture category includes nursery furniture for children from birth through 2 years, including painted baby furniture, nursery crib furniture, bassinets, a baby table for changing diapers, glider rockers, rocking chairs, dressers, chests, armoires and bookcases. Basically anything you would purchase at a baby store while furniture shopping.
Although most of the parents claimed that they mostly shopped at discount stores they admittedly would make more extravagant purchases at a specialty baby store if there was something they really wanted. A Gen X mom talked about children strollers. She paid $300 for a stroller because she liked the features. So if a parent is willing to spend $300 on a stroller which is typically a smaller ticket item in comparison to nursery furniture what are they willing to spend on a nursery crib, an item that’s use is far more than the use of a stroller.
Things like blankets, strollers, a nursery crib mattress, a toddler bed and accessories or items that would be bought for nursery gifts or baby gifts, or furniture for children over the age of 2 are not included in the category being discussed as leading infant bedroom furniture manufacturers. This is primarily nursery furniture for babies 2 and under in the strictest sense of the word.
According to Kids Today’s exclusive Buying Trends Survey, 2.2% of U.S. households bought a nursery crib in 2004, and 2.7% bought other baby furniture. The median price point for a nursery crib in 2004 was $150, with those consumers planning to buy a nursery crib in 2005 saying they planned to spend a median of $200. Even still, 18% of consumers who bought a nursery crib in 2004 paid $500 or more.
What this tells me is that although 18% of parents purchasing a nursery crib probably planned to purchase practically but when push came to shove they were willing to spend on average and extra $300 above and beyond what they initially planned to spend. Why is this? Is it because we are seduced by all the new-fangled cribs such as the newer style of the round crib and the BRAND-NEW Corner cribs (shaped to fit in a corner)? It is common knowledge that the median prices of these specialty cribs cost much more than the traditional rectangle cribs. As far as infant furniture goes round baby cribs are a fairly new concept. I do not even remember them being available when I had my first child. Since a separate room for a baby nursery is not always an option some parents feel that the round baby cribs and corner cribs which is a new concept is the way to go, they are both big space savers.
It could also be because parents are willing to purchase the top of the line 3-in-1 cribs in hopes that they will save money in the long run? Or quite possibly is it because parents will spend just about anything on their children, trying to provide everything they were never given?
Obviously a nursery crib is the most important purchase you will make for your child…along with the rest of the nursery furniture. Nursery Furniture Manufacturers know this and cater our need to give our child “everything”. That is why nursery furniture and nursery crib sets are such a booming market!
There are many top manufacturers in the nursery furniture category. The baby furniture category includes nursery furniture for children from birth through 2 years, including painted baby furniture, nursery crib furniture, bassinets, a baby table for changing diapers, glider rockers, rocking chairs, dressers, chests, armoires and bookcases. Basically anything you would purchase at a baby store while furniture shopping.
Although most of the parents claimed that they mostly shopped at discount stores they admittedly would make more extravagant purchases at a specialty baby store if there was something they really wanted. A Gen X mom talked about children strollers. She paid $300 for a stroller because she liked the features. So if a parent is willing to spend $300 on a stroller which is typically a smaller ticket item in comparison to nursery furniture what are they willing to spend on a nursery crib, an item that’s use is far more than the use of a stroller.
Things like blankets, strollers, a nursery crib mattress, a toddler bed and accessories or items that would be bought for nursery gifts or baby gifts, or furniture for children over the age of 2 are not included in the category being discussed as leading infant bedroom furniture manufacturers. This is primarily nursery furniture for babies 2 and under in the strictest sense of the word.
According to Kids Today’s exclusive Buying Trends Survey, 2.2% of U.S. households bought a nursery crib in 2004, and 2.7% bought other baby furniture. The median price point for a nursery crib in 2004 was $150, with those consumers planning to buy a nursery crib in 2005 saying they planned to spend a median of $200. Even still, 18% of consumers who bought a nursery crib in 2004 paid $500 or more.
What this tells me is that although 18% of parents purchasing a nursery crib probably planned to purchase practically but when push came to shove they were willing to spend on average and extra $300 above and beyond what they initially planned to spend. Why is this? Is it because we are seduced by all the new-fangled cribs such as the newer style of the round crib and the BRAND-NEW Corner cribs (shaped to fit in a corner)? It is common knowledge that the median prices of these specialty cribs cost much more than the traditional rectangle cribs. As far as infant furniture goes round baby cribs are a fairly new concept. I do not even remember them being available when I had my first child. Since a separate room for a baby nursery is not always an option some parents feel that the round baby cribs and corner cribs which is a new concept is the way to go, they are both big space savers.
It could also be because parents are willing to purchase the top of the line 3-in-1 cribs in hopes that they will save money in the long run? Or quite possibly is it because parents will spend just about anything on their children, trying to provide everything they were never given?
Obviously a nursery crib is the most important purchase you will make for your child…along with the rest of the nursery furniture. Nursery Furniture Manufacturers know this and cater our need to give our child “everything”. That is why nursery furniture and nursery crib sets are such a booming market!
Baby Name Meanings
Speaking as a Michael (a Hebrew name, meaning “Who is like God”), I’m really proud of my name. And I think that I – mostly - live up to the title! Of course, my mother would probably disagree; I think the phrase “little devil” would probably pass her lips if she was describing me during many stages of my childhood.
But then, my mother has her own issues; apparently her name (Kathleen) is a Celtic name meaning “Little Darling”. Hmmm, that isn’t the way I used to think about her during those regular occasions when she was punishing me for my “not like God” behaviour…!
And that’s the fun of baby name meanings – parents make naming decisions based on many, many different reasons, including family traditions, religion, culture, uniqueness and “it just sounds really nice.” But – in the Western world – we rarely do any real research into the history or real meaning of names. So when the poor/lucky child finally finds out the meaning of his/her “really nice sounding” name, the results can be interesting, ironic, unfortunate or just sometimes hilarious.
You can have a lot of fun thinking up family/friends names, finding out the meanings and trying to make a connection between the two. For example, my eldest brother Clive is apparently “a cliff dweller”, which is coincidental, since he lives at the top of a very long steep hill! Or why not play the game with celebrities – consider the following:
Badu (as in r n’b singer Erykah Badu): African name meaning “Tenth born child”
Winona (as in actress Winona Ryder): Sioux name meaning “Firstborn daughter”
Aaliyah (the late r n’b singer): Arabic name meaning “High, exalted”
Hilary (as in actresses Duff/Swank): Latin name meaning “Cheerful”
Some cultures have very interesting traditions when it comes to baby name meanings. For example, Hindu names usually have connections with very positive things such as truth, beauty, happiness, blessings, etc, or one of the Hindu gods. In the Sikh culture, girls traditionally have the middle or surname “Kaur”, meaning “Princess”, whilst the boys have the middle or surname “Singh”, meaning “Lion”.
An African friend of mine once mentioned that many Africans are given a second name corresponding to the day of the week on which they were born. I think is a really nice tradition, but in my case, my middle name would be “Sondo” (born on Sunday)!! Hmmmm…
Whatever type of name you have chosen, or are thinking about for your “bundle of joy”, its worth doing a little research into the meaning. And it’s never been easier, with the wealth of Internet resources and books available, including my own site at www.all-about-baby-names.com, which is jam-packed with resources, tips and information on baby names, baby name meanings and baby products.
Your search may yield some surprises; for example, the lovely-sounding name “Malory” is French and means “Bad luck”. You could get round this by spelling it “Mallory”, but this means “Without good fortune” in Old German!
Alternatively, you may end up a little confused by different meanings of the same name; for example “Leah” is a beautiful girl’s name, but what does it mean? Well…
• In Hebrew it means “Cow” or “Weary one” – uugghhh! • In Greek it means “Glad tidings” • In Assyrian, it means “Mistress, ruler”
And a final warning: if you are planning to go for a funky, unusual-sounding name, be sure to avoid “Bacia,” – its Ugandan meaning is “Family deaths ruined the home!”
For more information and advice, check out the baby name meaning resources at www.all-about-baby-names.com.
But then, my mother has her own issues; apparently her name (Kathleen) is a Celtic name meaning “Little Darling”. Hmmm, that isn’t the way I used to think about her during those regular occasions when she was punishing me for my “not like God” behaviour…!
And that’s the fun of baby name meanings – parents make naming decisions based on many, many different reasons, including family traditions, religion, culture, uniqueness and “it just sounds really nice.” But – in the Western world – we rarely do any real research into the history or real meaning of names. So when the poor/lucky child finally finds out the meaning of his/her “really nice sounding” name, the results can be interesting, ironic, unfortunate or just sometimes hilarious.
You can have a lot of fun thinking up family/friends names, finding out the meanings and trying to make a connection between the two. For example, my eldest brother Clive is apparently “a cliff dweller”, which is coincidental, since he lives at the top of a very long steep hill! Or why not play the game with celebrities – consider the following:
Badu (as in r n’b singer Erykah Badu): African name meaning “Tenth born child”
Winona (as in actress Winona Ryder): Sioux name meaning “Firstborn daughter”
Aaliyah (the late r n’b singer): Arabic name meaning “High, exalted”
Hilary (as in actresses Duff/Swank): Latin name meaning “Cheerful”
Some cultures have very interesting traditions when it comes to baby name meanings. For example, Hindu names usually have connections with very positive things such as truth, beauty, happiness, blessings, etc, or one of the Hindu gods. In the Sikh culture, girls traditionally have the middle or surname “Kaur”, meaning “Princess”, whilst the boys have the middle or surname “Singh”, meaning “Lion”.
An African friend of mine once mentioned that many Africans are given a second name corresponding to the day of the week on which they were born. I think is a really nice tradition, but in my case, my middle name would be “Sondo” (born on Sunday)!! Hmmmm…
Whatever type of name you have chosen, or are thinking about for your “bundle of joy”, its worth doing a little research into the meaning. And it’s never been easier, with the wealth of Internet resources and books available, including my own site at www.all-about-baby-names.com, which is jam-packed with resources, tips and information on baby names, baby name meanings and baby products.
Your search may yield some surprises; for example, the lovely-sounding name “Malory” is French and means “Bad luck”. You could get round this by spelling it “Mallory”, but this means “Without good fortune” in Old German!
Alternatively, you may end up a little confused by different meanings of the same name; for example “Leah” is a beautiful girl’s name, but what does it mean? Well…
• In Hebrew it means “Cow” or “Weary one” – uugghhh! • In Greek it means “Glad tidings” • In Assyrian, it means “Mistress, ruler”
And a final warning: if you are planning to go for a funky, unusual-sounding name, be sure to avoid “Bacia,” – its Ugandan meaning is “Family deaths ruined the home!”
For more information and advice, check out the baby name meaning resources at www.all-about-baby-names.com.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Baby Bedding Wants Vs. Bedding Baby Needs
If you walk into any baby store or online baby site you will find a multitude of styles and designs of baby bedding available. There is something for every nursery décor ever thought of by a new mother. If it’s animals you want, there’s everything from apes to zebras. If you want an angel motif, there are a hundred styles of angels. If you want nursery rhymes, just pick one and you will find a matching motif. What about cartoon or Disney characters? You can find anything and everything when it comes to baby bedding. You will also find all of the pieces you want such as comforters, bumpers, dust ruffles, pillows and more. They are all matched and some of are the most luxurious you can find. So, now you see all this stuff and are tempted to buy. The cute patterns are obviously for the parents to enjoy because the baby doesn’t know the difference but what does the baby actually “need”? That’s a whole different story.
If you are considering a bumper for the crib, this is a strip of padded cloth that is pretty or cute, but they are used to keep the baby from hitting their head against the bars of the crib. Some think bumpers will add to the risk of suffocation by pressing their face against the bumper. If the bumper is tightly fitted against the drib the possibilities of that happening are much less. Make sure all of the ribbons and ties are short and to the outside of the crib so there are no chances of getting entangled. Bottom sheets are sized for the crib with elastic corners and should fit snugly against the crib mattress. If the fit is correct they won’t pop off and this also lessens the chance of suffocation. I would recommend leaving the top sheet at the store unless it comes as a set. Your baby only needs light blankets in the beginning and it is best if they are cotton. They also don’t need more covers or warmth than we do. We all know diapers leak at night so sheet protectors are a wonderful idea for the busy mom. A sheet protector is a piece of cloth with cotton on one side and waterproof on the other. If there is leakage at night, just pull one sheet protector off and put another one on. This will save you on laundry and time. You can do the same thing between two fitted sheets. Put the protector between the two so it protects the bottom sheet and the top one is easily peeled off if there is an accident. If you like, try the new heavier pajamas for baby so they will stay warm without kicking covers off. You only need a few outfits in the beginning. If you want perfectly white sheets, don’t get too excited because colored would be best if you are trying to camouflage the inevitable staining that will happen. If you even think about buying a pillow, stop. There is no need for one for the baby. They aren’t safe, your baby can suffocate and they can’t really lift their heads enough to use one. It is found that babies sleep better when flat.
In the early months babies will be constantly interrupted because their patterns are not yet established. It takes time for them to sleep without these interruptions and to fall back to sleep easily and quickly. When if comes to helping your baby sleep with the choice of baby bedding, consider safety to be the only true criteria. It doesn’t matter how cute the bedding set is if it doesn’t fit right or isn’t safe.
If you are considering a bumper for the crib, this is a strip of padded cloth that is pretty or cute, but they are used to keep the baby from hitting their head against the bars of the crib. Some think bumpers will add to the risk of suffocation by pressing their face against the bumper. If the bumper is tightly fitted against the drib the possibilities of that happening are much less. Make sure all of the ribbons and ties are short and to the outside of the crib so there are no chances of getting entangled. Bottom sheets are sized for the crib with elastic corners and should fit snugly against the crib mattress. If the fit is correct they won’t pop off and this also lessens the chance of suffocation. I would recommend leaving the top sheet at the store unless it comes as a set. Your baby only needs light blankets in the beginning and it is best if they are cotton. They also don’t need more covers or warmth than we do. We all know diapers leak at night so sheet protectors are a wonderful idea for the busy mom. A sheet protector is a piece of cloth with cotton on one side and waterproof on the other. If there is leakage at night, just pull one sheet protector off and put another one on. This will save you on laundry and time. You can do the same thing between two fitted sheets. Put the protector between the two so it protects the bottom sheet and the top one is easily peeled off if there is an accident. If you like, try the new heavier pajamas for baby so they will stay warm without kicking covers off. You only need a few outfits in the beginning. If you want perfectly white sheets, don’t get too excited because colored would be best if you are trying to camouflage the inevitable staining that will happen. If you even think about buying a pillow, stop. There is no need for one for the baby. They aren’t safe, your baby can suffocate and they can’t really lift their heads enough to use one. It is found that babies sleep better when flat.
In the early months babies will be constantly interrupted because their patterns are not yet established. It takes time for them to sleep without these interruptions and to fall back to sleep easily and quickly. When if comes to helping your baby sleep with the choice of baby bedding, consider safety to be the only true criteria. It doesn’t matter how cute the bedding set is if it doesn’t fit right or isn’t safe.
Baby Acne
One of the most common conditions a new mother may see on her infant, is baby acne. But while it is startling in so young a child, it's really not a serious issue, nor should you be overly concerned about the causes or cures.
Some babies when born, may have small red bumps on their face. This is not baby acne, but something called “milia”, which usually disappears in a couple of weeks. On the other hand, the acne will appear around that same two week period, and show itself as small white heads, sometimes surrounded by red, irritated skin on the cheeks, chin, forehead and even the back.
In teenagers and even adults, acne is blamed on hormones and excessively oily skin. To some extent this is true of infants also, with hormones transmitted through the placenta, often being blamed for the facial spots. However, science has no real idea of the cause, and there is normally no treatment for the few weeks a child will have it.
Because the baby acne appears on areas of the face where they may have spit up, rubbed against sheets washed in harsh detergent, or drooled, it can become slightly aggravated, but that extra irritation will go away by changing your laundry soap, and wiping their face with a damp cloth when needed.
It is not advisable to try home remedies such as creams or oil, as these will only irritate the skin further. As a rule, nothing more is needed than washing once a day with mild baby soap. In some cases where the baby acne appears to get significantly worse, your doctor may prescribe a cream or other medication. He will also check at the same time, to see if a breastfeeding mother is taking any medication that may have triggered the acne through her milk.
Some babies when born, may have small red bumps on their face. This is not baby acne, but something called “milia”, which usually disappears in a couple of weeks. On the other hand, the acne will appear around that same two week period, and show itself as small white heads, sometimes surrounded by red, irritated skin on the cheeks, chin, forehead and even the back.
In teenagers and even adults, acne is blamed on hormones and excessively oily skin. To some extent this is true of infants also, with hormones transmitted through the placenta, often being blamed for the facial spots. However, science has no real idea of the cause, and there is normally no treatment for the few weeks a child will have it.
Because the baby acne appears on areas of the face where they may have spit up, rubbed against sheets washed in harsh detergent, or drooled, it can become slightly aggravated, but that extra irritation will go away by changing your laundry soap, and wiping their face with a damp cloth when needed.
It is not advisable to try home remedies such as creams or oil, as these will only irritate the skin further. As a rule, nothing more is needed than washing once a day with mild baby soap. In some cases where the baby acne appears to get significantly worse, your doctor may prescribe a cream or other medication. He will also check at the same time, to see if a breastfeeding mother is taking any medication that may have triggered the acne through her milk.
A Simple Method for Choosing the Perfect Name for Your New Baby
A person's name is something they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. Selecting a baby's name is an important, but often difficult decision for many parents. Follow our guide for a simple process in selecting your baby's name.
Most people have some ideas for good baby names and have thought about it on and off throughout their entire lives. Remember that the other parent and people around you will also have opinions about baby names, so sometimes it is a good idea to consider these opinions. If by some chance you do not have enough ideas for baby names, then search the internet for a baby name directory.
Remember that your new child will be stuck with whatever name you give him or her for the rest of their lives. Common names are "normal" and "safe", but sometimes easily forgotten, especially when you meet a lot of people all at once. Unusual names are hard to remember at first, but once remembered usually stick to memory much better. You may want to choose a name that is easily pronounced from the spelling. When trying to pick a name, decide whether you want the child to have a common name or an unusual name.
If you want a not too common name that is easy to remember, try to think of names of people that you have never met before. For example, I've never personally met anyone named Darien, so perhaps that name is not too common. Although this method is far from scientific, it is a good way to brainstorm.
Want to avoid common names? Check out the following website that allows you the search for the most common names by year:
http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/
Once you have a list of names, you can move onto the second step in the process - picking the best name for the baby. It should be noted that in most cases, the two people who have authority of a new baby's name are the mother and father. The opinions of friends, family members, and other associates can be taken into account as well, but ultimately the parents should make the final decision. The name should be one that both the mother and father like. Here are some methods for selecting a baby's name:
1) The most obvious way to select a name is to just have both parents talk about it until they reach a decision. Most parents can come to agreements this way, although others may be more fixated on their own name choices. If selecting a baby name becomes difficult, try the methods below.
2) The father picks a boy name and the mother picks a girl name before the gender of the child is known (or vice versa). If either parent does not like a name, they can veto the name. For example, if the father picks "John" for the boy's name and the mother does not like it, she can veto. The father then has to pick another name. This process continues until both parents pick names that are mutually acceptable. This method works best for parents that are not too picky about names. Otherwise, the process could last a long time.
3) If you want to involve friends and family, what you will need to do is make a list of names. Choose the names that you are most passionate about and make the list as concise as possible. Have friends and family rate the names on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being best (or rank them from favorite to least favorite). The parents can easily print out these surveys on paper or send the by email. Total up the scores and see what people around you think.
The reach a decision, parents must agree on a process and then follow it. In summary, following these simple steps can take the stress and difficulty out of selecting a baby's name.
Most people have some ideas for good baby names and have thought about it on and off throughout their entire lives. Remember that the other parent and people around you will also have opinions about baby names, so sometimes it is a good idea to consider these opinions. If by some chance you do not have enough ideas for baby names, then search the internet for a baby name directory.
Remember that your new child will be stuck with whatever name you give him or her for the rest of their lives. Common names are "normal" and "safe", but sometimes easily forgotten, especially when you meet a lot of people all at once. Unusual names are hard to remember at first, but once remembered usually stick to memory much better. You may want to choose a name that is easily pronounced from the spelling. When trying to pick a name, decide whether you want the child to have a common name or an unusual name.
If you want a not too common name that is easy to remember, try to think of names of people that you have never met before. For example, I've never personally met anyone named Darien, so perhaps that name is not too common. Although this method is far from scientific, it is a good way to brainstorm.
Want to avoid common names? Check out the following website that allows you the search for the most common names by year:
http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/
Once you have a list of names, you can move onto the second step in the process - picking the best name for the baby. It should be noted that in most cases, the two people who have authority of a new baby's name are the mother and father. The opinions of friends, family members, and other associates can be taken into account as well, but ultimately the parents should make the final decision. The name should be one that both the mother and father like. Here are some methods for selecting a baby's name:
1) The most obvious way to select a name is to just have both parents talk about it until they reach a decision. Most parents can come to agreements this way, although others may be more fixated on their own name choices. If selecting a baby name becomes difficult, try the methods below.
2) The father picks a boy name and the mother picks a girl name before the gender of the child is known (or vice versa). If either parent does not like a name, they can veto the name. For example, if the father picks "John" for the boy's name and the mother does not like it, she can veto. The father then has to pick another name. This process continues until both parents pick names that are mutually acceptable. This method works best for parents that are not too picky about names. Otherwise, the process could last a long time.
3) If you want to involve friends and family, what you will need to do is make a list of names. Choose the names that you are most passionate about and make the list as concise as possible. Have friends and family rate the names on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being best (or rank them from favorite to least favorite). The parents can easily print out these surveys on paper or send the by email. Total up the scores and see what people around you think.
The reach a decision, parents must agree on a process and then follow it. In summary, following these simple steps can take the stress and difficulty out of selecting a baby's name.
Are You Financially Prepared to Have a Baby
Perhaps you are a newly married couple doing some family planning, or you may have just discovered that you have a little “surprise” coming your way. Whether you are barely trying to get the hang of marriage and money management, or if you’re simply looking ahead to a future with a baby in it, a little financial planning will go a long way once your bundle of jubilation comes along.
The US Department of Agriculture estimates that a middle income family will spend a bare minimum of $250,000 to raise a child. Yikes! Don’t worry! Time is on your side. College won’t be for another 18 years, at the very least. But that doesn’t mean that you can slack off on saving, either.
A financial advisor can help you to realistically assess your income and your debts. More importantly a professional can help you set a realistic budget. Doing this will help you set sensible goals each month. You will find that, rather than go with your impulse to buy that “gotta have it” item, you will hold off on it a little longer, only to find that something of a much higher priority will come along.
That’s the whole idea of saving… saying “no” now so that you can say “yes” to the important things, later.
The US Department of Agriculture estimates that a middle income family will spend a bare minimum of $250,000 to raise a child. Yikes! Don’t worry! Time is on your side. College won’t be for another 18 years, at the very least. But that doesn’t mean that you can slack off on saving, either.
A financial advisor can help you to realistically assess your income and your debts. More importantly a professional can help you set a realistic budget. Doing this will help you set sensible goals each month. You will find that, rather than go with your impulse to buy that “gotta have it” item, you will hold off on it a little longer, only to find that something of a much higher priority will come along.
That’s the whole idea of saving… saying “no” now so that you can say “yes” to the important things, later.
Are Wedding Decorations waiting in Your future
If there are wedding bells in your future, then surely there are wedding decorations as well. Or, maybe you are looking for Easter decorations, baby shower decorations, or even prom decorations? For some good ideas on any party decorations, just check online!
When you are planning a party, no matter how big or small you will want to use decorations to make the atmosphere what you want it to be. Table decorations are one thing most parties have. You may wish to cover your tables with brightly colored table clothes with a fresh flower centerpiece. Or maybe you are crafty and wish to make personalized place-mats for your guests. Whatever you choose, the decoration will make the party a blast!
But, not all of us are crafty and need some extra help in this area. You can take a trip to your local craft store where you will find aisles and aisles of ideas. But, more then likely, you will still need some idea of what you can do yourself. Another option is to check out the online retailers and their vast amount of options. If you need help finding what you are looking for online, try searching for it using a major search engine.
Decorations will make your party a hit. Walking into a balloon filled room with decorated tables and chairs, streamers, and festive colored banners will set the mood for your party! So, liven up your wedding decorations by visiting a local craft store, doing some design work yourself, or even just browse the online aisles and make it a great party!
When you are planning a party, no matter how big or small you will want to use decorations to make the atmosphere what you want it to be. Table decorations are one thing most parties have. You may wish to cover your tables with brightly colored table clothes with a fresh flower centerpiece. Or maybe you are crafty and wish to make personalized place-mats for your guests. Whatever you choose, the decoration will make the party a blast!
But, not all of us are crafty and need some extra help in this area. You can take a trip to your local craft store where you will find aisles and aisles of ideas. But, more then likely, you will still need some idea of what you can do yourself. Another option is to check out the online retailers and their vast amount of options. If you need help finding what you are looking for online, try searching for it using a major search engine.
Decorations will make your party a hit. Walking into a balloon filled room with decorated tables and chairs, streamers, and festive colored banners will set the mood for your party! So, liven up your wedding decorations by visiting a local craft store, doing some design work yourself, or even just browse the online aisles and make it a great party!
A New Year’s Resolution to Learn a New Language
Danny Glover, the famous American actor, once said that his new year’s resolution was to learn French, because everyone he wants to speak with in West Africa speaks French. If you would like your fun new year’s resolution to be to learn a new language, then there are quite a few different ways you can go about it.
Perhaps you’ve been wanting to learn the language of your Grandmother. Perhaps you would benefit from learning an official language or unofficial second language of your country, such as French in Canada or Spanish in USA. Or Greek in Melbourne Australia! Apparently the second largest Greek-speaking city in the world after Athens, in terms of number of people who speak Greek, is Melbourne Australia! Or perhaps you feel like learning something that feels exotic like Japanese or Swahili. One Saturday in November 2004, the national Canadian newspaper the “The Globe and Mail” put its entire front page in Chinese, explaining that with the globalization of jobs, Chinese will probably be a necessary business language of the future.
A fun way to start learning a new language, especially if you’re not a disciplined type of student, is to enrol in a language course. You meet other people in your class who have the same language interest as you which is fun in itself, you’re being taught by a real teacher, and the once a week schedule of the classes means that you are practising your new language regularly and steadily. Local community centers offer these courses. Colleges, private language institutes and continuing education programs at university offer them. You may be lucky enough to have cultural organizations nearby that offer language courses. For instance, a local immigrant organization in my town offers courses in Swahili, a language spoken in many east African countries. Downtown, a cultural organization funded by France called Alliance Française, offers French courses. A nearby Saturday Chinese school offers courses in Mandarin Chinese for both adults and children, and it’s quite encouraging to see Cantonese-speaking adults there having as much trouble pronouncing Mandarin as the non-Chinese adults!
If you can’t get away to a class, then there are lots of language courses you can study at home: books, audio cassettes, video cassettes, DVDs, music, interactive computer software, and online courses on the Internet. Your local library probably has language learning resources that you can borrow, if you don’t want to start off the year with the expense of buying these materials. When studying on your own in this way, try to devote 10 minutes every day to a bit of study or revision, instead of doing 1 hour one day but then not finding the time to look at it again for a couple of months. With 10 minutes of study each day, you probably won’t feel like you are making progress because the progress is so gradual. However, the progress will also be steady, and in 3 months time when you look back on how much you have learned, you’ll probably impress yourself.
To get you started learning your new language in the next 5 minutes, here are some links to free online courses
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages - On the BBC website, you will find free online courses for French, Spanish, German, Italian, Greek, Portuguese and Mandarin Chinese. And also for Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Irish and English, and links to British Sign Language.
http://www.word2word.com/course.html - The Word2Word website contains links to free language courses all over the Internet. As of January 2005, it has links for 114 languages, from Abenaki, Albanian and Arabic, to Urdu, Vietnamese and Xhosa. In all, there are 288 links to online courses. So whether you want to learn Cree, Croatian or Korean, hopefully you’ll find a free course for the language you want here.
A great way to learn and practise another language is “language immersion” – being surrounded by people who speak that language and you having to get things done in that language environment. A holiday in a foreign country is a very interesting and fun “language immersion” opportunity. People amaze themselves, speaking words in a foreign tongue that they didn’t realize they knew, when they have to function in a foreign language environment. Closer to home, local immigrant community events may be able to provide you with a language immersion environment without the expense of travel.
My Japanese teacher told us that if you understand more than 5% of what is being said in a foreign language, then you are not at the optimum level for learning the maximum amount possible of that foreign language. If you understand more than 5% of what is going on in your class, go up a level he said! If 95% seems gooblety-gook to you, then that’s perfect he said! Take heart. It means you are soaking up as much of that foreign language as is humanly possible!
According to Ellen Bialystok and Kenji Hakuta in the book “In Other Words”, adults are more capable of learning a second language than most people assume. In the book “What’s Going On In There”, Lise Eliot explains how Noam Chomsky discovered in the late 1950s that all of the world’s languages share the same fundamental structure. He called it “Universal Grammar”. The language you already speak and the language you want to learn both have sentences, grammar, nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions and conjunctions. You may not be able to label those parts of your speech, but your brain is applying those concepts to your speech every day, and has been doing so ever since you were a baby. Experts believe that our brains have specific language circuits, like a computer has specific circuitry to do certain tasks. If you can communicate in one language (and if you are reading this, then obviously you can!), then you have the necessary brain circuitry to communicate in any language.
Which brings us to the subject of babies, kids and language. My father observed that French children must be very clever. While English-speaking teenagers are struggling with French in high school, apparently French children are fluently speaking French right from toddlerhood! (!!!)
Language courses for children exist in our communities, particularly in communities that have vibrant ethnic members. Fun but academically serious Saturday language classes for children are very popular among immigrant families. They are created so that children can learn the language and culture of the old country that their ancestors came from, and they usually embrace the participation of other children from outside their culture. So if you want your child to get a head start in a foreign language, to reap the IQ benefits of being multilingual, and to share and practise with you while you also learn a foreign language, enrol them in Saturday school for Chinese, Italian, Greek, Croatian or whatever language school you find available for kids.
As with adults, lots of multimedia resources are available for teaching foreign languages to children. The latest craze is language videos for babies! Small children find these videos very entertaining and love to watch them. Some well-known titles include Bilingual Baby and Lyric Language. On the Internet, http://www.kiddiesgames.com offers fun free games for babies and preschoolers to learn Spanish and French.
Have you ever thought of learning Sign Language? American Sign Language (or ASL) is the first language of half a million people in the United States and Canada, and is probably the third most used language in USA. Dr Bill Vicars at the ASL University at http://lifeprint.com/asl101 tells us that many deaf people cherish and enjoy their language and deaf culture so much that given the chance to hear, they’d rather remain deaf so as to remain part of their culture. On that website you can find a free online ASL course and visual dictionary.
The benefits of hearing babies and toddlers learning sign language are very exciting. The research of the past decade has shown that hearing infants that learn sign language learn to speak verbally earlier, have higher IQs, have less tantrums during the terrible twos because they can communicate their needs, and are generally happier! There is now quite a choice of entertaining videos for small children that are very effective at teaching kids signs, such as the Signing Time videos at http://www.signingtime.com and the We Sign videos that you can preview at http://www.production-associates.com/wesign.html. In some areas, it’s possible for children to take signing classes such as those of http://www.kindersigns.com or to join reverse integration kindergarten at deaf organizations or signing playgroups.
Have fun carrying out your new year’s resolution of learning a new language. Find some music in your target language that is in a music style that you enjoy and has the words to the songs. Robert Fisher in the book “Head Start” explains that there is a link between music and remembering language. He reports that the Ancient Greeks would listen to the whole of the Iliad chanted to soft lyre music, and this allowed many people to be able to remember long passages from the Iliad.
Perhaps you’ve been wanting to learn the language of your Grandmother. Perhaps you would benefit from learning an official language or unofficial second language of your country, such as French in Canada or Spanish in USA. Or Greek in Melbourne Australia! Apparently the second largest Greek-speaking city in the world after Athens, in terms of number of people who speak Greek, is Melbourne Australia! Or perhaps you feel like learning something that feels exotic like Japanese or Swahili. One Saturday in November 2004, the national Canadian newspaper the “The Globe and Mail” put its entire front page in Chinese, explaining that with the globalization of jobs, Chinese will probably be a necessary business language of the future.
A fun way to start learning a new language, especially if you’re not a disciplined type of student, is to enrol in a language course. You meet other people in your class who have the same language interest as you which is fun in itself, you’re being taught by a real teacher, and the once a week schedule of the classes means that you are practising your new language regularly and steadily. Local community centers offer these courses. Colleges, private language institutes and continuing education programs at university offer them. You may be lucky enough to have cultural organizations nearby that offer language courses. For instance, a local immigrant organization in my town offers courses in Swahili, a language spoken in many east African countries. Downtown, a cultural organization funded by France called Alliance Française, offers French courses. A nearby Saturday Chinese school offers courses in Mandarin Chinese for both adults and children, and it’s quite encouraging to see Cantonese-speaking adults there having as much trouble pronouncing Mandarin as the non-Chinese adults!
If you can’t get away to a class, then there are lots of language courses you can study at home: books, audio cassettes, video cassettes, DVDs, music, interactive computer software, and online courses on the Internet. Your local library probably has language learning resources that you can borrow, if you don’t want to start off the year with the expense of buying these materials. When studying on your own in this way, try to devote 10 minutes every day to a bit of study or revision, instead of doing 1 hour one day but then not finding the time to look at it again for a couple of months. With 10 minutes of study each day, you probably won’t feel like you are making progress because the progress is so gradual. However, the progress will also be steady, and in 3 months time when you look back on how much you have learned, you’ll probably impress yourself.
To get you started learning your new language in the next 5 minutes, here are some links to free online courses
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages - On the BBC website, you will find free online courses for French, Spanish, German, Italian, Greek, Portuguese and Mandarin Chinese. And also for Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Irish and English, and links to British Sign Language.
http://www.word2word.com/course.html - The Word2Word website contains links to free language courses all over the Internet. As of January 2005, it has links for 114 languages, from Abenaki, Albanian and Arabic, to Urdu, Vietnamese and Xhosa. In all, there are 288 links to online courses. So whether you want to learn Cree, Croatian or Korean, hopefully you’ll find a free course for the language you want here.
A great way to learn and practise another language is “language immersion” – being surrounded by people who speak that language and you having to get things done in that language environment. A holiday in a foreign country is a very interesting and fun “language immersion” opportunity. People amaze themselves, speaking words in a foreign tongue that they didn’t realize they knew, when they have to function in a foreign language environment. Closer to home, local immigrant community events may be able to provide you with a language immersion environment without the expense of travel.
My Japanese teacher told us that if you understand more than 5% of what is being said in a foreign language, then you are not at the optimum level for learning the maximum amount possible of that foreign language. If you understand more than 5% of what is going on in your class, go up a level he said! If 95% seems gooblety-gook to you, then that’s perfect he said! Take heart. It means you are soaking up as much of that foreign language as is humanly possible!
According to Ellen Bialystok and Kenji Hakuta in the book “In Other Words”, adults are more capable of learning a second language than most people assume. In the book “What’s Going On In There”, Lise Eliot explains how Noam Chomsky discovered in the late 1950s that all of the world’s languages share the same fundamental structure. He called it “Universal Grammar”. The language you already speak and the language you want to learn both have sentences, grammar, nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions and conjunctions. You may not be able to label those parts of your speech, but your brain is applying those concepts to your speech every day, and has been doing so ever since you were a baby. Experts believe that our brains have specific language circuits, like a computer has specific circuitry to do certain tasks. If you can communicate in one language (and if you are reading this, then obviously you can!), then you have the necessary brain circuitry to communicate in any language.
Which brings us to the subject of babies, kids and language. My father observed that French children must be very clever. While English-speaking teenagers are struggling with French in high school, apparently French children are fluently speaking French right from toddlerhood! (!!!)
Language courses for children exist in our communities, particularly in communities that have vibrant ethnic members. Fun but academically serious Saturday language classes for children are very popular among immigrant families. They are created so that children can learn the language and culture of the old country that their ancestors came from, and they usually embrace the participation of other children from outside their culture. So if you want your child to get a head start in a foreign language, to reap the IQ benefits of being multilingual, and to share and practise with you while you also learn a foreign language, enrol them in Saturday school for Chinese, Italian, Greek, Croatian or whatever language school you find available for kids.
As with adults, lots of multimedia resources are available for teaching foreign languages to children. The latest craze is language videos for babies! Small children find these videos very entertaining and love to watch them. Some well-known titles include Bilingual Baby and Lyric Language. On the Internet, http://www.kiddiesgames.com offers fun free games for babies and preschoolers to learn Spanish and French.
Have you ever thought of learning Sign Language? American Sign Language (or ASL) is the first language of half a million people in the United States and Canada, and is probably the third most used language in USA. Dr Bill Vicars at the ASL University at http://lifeprint.com/asl101 tells us that many deaf people cherish and enjoy their language and deaf culture so much that given the chance to hear, they’d rather remain deaf so as to remain part of their culture. On that website you can find a free online ASL course and visual dictionary.
The benefits of hearing babies and toddlers learning sign language are very exciting. The research of the past decade has shown that hearing infants that learn sign language learn to speak verbally earlier, have higher IQs, have less tantrums during the terrible twos because they can communicate their needs, and are generally happier! There is now quite a choice of entertaining videos for small children that are very effective at teaching kids signs, such as the Signing Time videos at http://www.signingtime.com and the We Sign videos that you can preview at http://www.production-associates.com/wesign.html. In some areas, it’s possible for children to take signing classes such as those of http://www.kindersigns.com or to join reverse integration kindergarten at deaf organizations or signing playgroups.
Have fun carrying out your new year’s resolution of learning a new language. Find some music in your target language that is in a music style that you enjoy and has the words to the songs. Robert Fisher in the book “Head Start” explains that there is a link between music and remembering language. He reports that the Ancient Greeks would listen to the whole of the Iliad chanted to soft lyre music, and this allowed many people to be able to remember long passages from the Iliad.
Andy Griffith Show Family Lessons
Although it might seem pretty corny to a lot of folks today, the old Andy Griffith Show really did have a lot of common sense family values that we could learn from today.
Take for instance the episode "Bailey's Bad Boy" that guest starred Bill Bixby as a spoiled rich teenager who wanted his rich dad to bail him out of jail once he got in trouble in Mayberry. Bixby's character sees the perfect example of parenting from Andy when Taylor makes Opie stand on his own two feet and pay for a window he had broken. Too often in real life we bail our kids out of everything. You don't really do your kid a favor when you take away any chance they might have of getting a personal sense of responsibility. No matter how small the occurrence if your child breaks something even by accident, take the time to explain to the child the importance of taking responsibility for the things we do. I'm not saying you should get angry and act like the Incredible Hulk, just explain to the kid that if he breaks things or makes a mess he has to clean it up, and then make sure they do.
One of the most famous episodes of Andy Griffith was the episode entitled "Opie the Birdman". Opie accidentally kills a mother bird leaving her baby birds all alone. Andy doesn't sugar coat the situation. He doesn't yell and scream like a cat under a rocking chair either. He just simply opens a window and let's Opie hear the baby birds crying for their mother, and points out to Opie the hard fact that his actions have consequences. Sometimes we shelter our kids from every type of responsibility possible, while at the same time allowing them to absorb hours of violence and sex on the TV and video games.
Today we have more than made sure our kids have material things. They have video games, televisions in their room, so many toys there is not enough time to play with them, but we shirk our responsibility on the biggest, most important part of raising a kid, the part where you actually raise them up to be adults. Fun and toys are great. Every child ought to have fun, but they should be slowly growing up too. So my humble suggestion is like Andy Taylor said make sure your boy or girl can stand on their own two feet. No opportunity is too small to begin instilling these important lessons. It's just like the Bible says "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. "
Taking your kid fishing like Andy did Opie is not that bad either. If that isn't your cup of tea then surely you can enjoy going to the park with your kid or playing something outside. Most kids never seem to want to venture outside anymore. They're missing an important part of development and growing more and more obese every year. Health is another important aspect of life that kids need to take responsibility for. Even children are developing diabetes, which they wouldn't have normally, due to diet and lack of physical activity. The fact of the matter is, in the long run protecting our kids from facing the consequences of their actions today will mean greater consequences later down the line. So be like Andy and open the window and let your kid hear the birds, and don't be afraid to let him or her pay for a broken window occasionally.
Take for instance the episode "Bailey's Bad Boy" that guest starred Bill Bixby as a spoiled rich teenager who wanted his rich dad to bail him out of jail once he got in trouble in Mayberry. Bixby's character sees the perfect example of parenting from Andy when Taylor makes Opie stand on his own two feet and pay for a window he had broken. Too often in real life we bail our kids out of everything. You don't really do your kid a favor when you take away any chance they might have of getting a personal sense of responsibility. No matter how small the occurrence if your child breaks something even by accident, take the time to explain to the child the importance of taking responsibility for the things we do. I'm not saying you should get angry and act like the Incredible Hulk, just explain to the kid that if he breaks things or makes a mess he has to clean it up, and then make sure they do.
One of the most famous episodes of Andy Griffith was the episode entitled "Opie the Birdman". Opie accidentally kills a mother bird leaving her baby birds all alone. Andy doesn't sugar coat the situation. He doesn't yell and scream like a cat under a rocking chair either. He just simply opens a window and let's Opie hear the baby birds crying for their mother, and points out to Opie the hard fact that his actions have consequences. Sometimes we shelter our kids from every type of responsibility possible, while at the same time allowing them to absorb hours of violence and sex on the TV and video games.
Today we have more than made sure our kids have material things. They have video games, televisions in their room, so many toys there is not enough time to play with them, but we shirk our responsibility on the biggest, most important part of raising a kid, the part where you actually raise them up to be adults. Fun and toys are great. Every child ought to have fun, but they should be slowly growing up too. So my humble suggestion is like Andy Taylor said make sure your boy or girl can stand on their own two feet. No opportunity is too small to begin instilling these important lessons. It's just like the Bible says "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. "
Taking your kid fishing like Andy did Opie is not that bad either. If that isn't your cup of tea then surely you can enjoy going to the park with your kid or playing something outside. Most kids never seem to want to venture outside anymore. They're missing an important part of development and growing more and more obese every year. Health is another important aspect of life that kids need to take responsibility for. Even children are developing diabetes, which they wouldn't have normally, due to diet and lack of physical activity. The fact of the matter is, in the long run protecting our kids from facing the consequences of their actions today will mean greater consequences later down the line. So be like Andy and open the window and let your kid hear the birds, and don't be afraid to let him or her pay for a broken window occasionally.
Am I Really A Stroller-Monger?
was reading "A Modern Infant Armada", a humor column in Maclean's Magazine written by a fellow humor columnist. Writing about it now is a bit like a painter painting another painter or a singer singing about another singer (but it not like a cook cooking another cook.).
David Russell (yes, another humor columnist named David) laughs at his neighbor for parking both cars in the driveway to make room in the garage for four strollers for just one child. I laughed with him. Four strollers for just one baby is ridiculous, right?
However, David Russell becomes a parent himself, a condition that afflicts many unsuspecting homo sapiens, and he concludes that a call to his neighbor is warranted: "I need to see if he can help me get a fleet rate."
"Traitor!" I cried out. "Stroller monger!"
"Who's a traitor?" my wife asked as she walked in the room. "And just what is a stroller monger."
I resisted the obvious answer – that a stroller monger is somebody who mongs strollers. "David Russell. He says that one stroller is enough for any child, but then he decides to buy an entire fleet."
"Say, we could have saved a bundle if we had applied for a fleet rate," my wife mused.
"What? We don't have four strollers."
My wife smiled. It was a sweet smile you could just fall in love with...if you did not know that it meant, "Oh yes we do!"
"We do not."
"My wife took out her counting fingers. "First there is the car seat," she said, pressing down the first finger. "We snap it into the stroller base whenever we go anywhere."
"OK, that's one."
"Then there is the SUV," she said, pressing down on a second finger. The "SUV" is a full sized stroller. We bought it when we were still squeezing it on a downtown apartment. With no storage space, it stood in the entrance area, blocking our path to the kitchen and any hope of escaping if the place caught fire. The SUV is the Hummer of strollers.
"OK, that is a stroller, I will grant you. But that's just two."
"We also have the fold-up stroller," my wife said, pressing down a third finger.
"But she's not even using it yet."
"She will soon and we have it now," my wife pointed out. "Then there is the old fold-up stroller we kept as a backup. That makes four."
"You can't count duplicates. That's double counting."
"It takes double the space," my wife insisted. "We have four strollers.
I stared in silence. Slowly it sunk in. Yes, there were two Davids who were humor columnists, but there were also two Davids who were stroller-mongers.
Uh-oh. My wife was smiling again. She was watched for just the right moment to strike. "Our baby has more seats in this house than anybody else has."
"That's ridiculous." No sooner had the words left my mouth than I remembered the boomerang rule. Words like ridiculous, ludicrous, silly, stupid and big mouth usually apply only to the person who speaks them.
My wife rhymed off our seats, "Three on the couch, two chairs in the living room, six in the kitchen, one in the bathroom and one at each of our desks. Plus the three red chairs Little Lady has in the living room. That makes 17."
"Ha!" I knew it couldn't be true.
Then came that deadly sweet smile again, the smile that said, "Take my hand while I lead you around the house to see why you should think first and shout 'Aha!' later."
In the kitchen stood the high chair and the sit-in play saucer. In her office sat the rocking chair that never rocked and the bouncy chair that never bounced. There was the swing seat, and there were two cushion seats for sitting upright on the floor. She opened the door to the enclosed porch, and there were the four strollers and the car seat she would soon be using.
"That makes 12," my wife tallied. "We each have fewer than six."
I thought really hard. "Aha!" I said again, proudly pointing out that this time I had thought first and shouted 'Aha!' later.. "We have three chairs on the balcony, and six on the patio. There are also six folding chairs for the fire pit."
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and there was no reason to forget all the outdoors furniture at a time like this. Unfortunately, there was no reason to forget arithmetic, either. Our baby still had the most seats in the house – and outside the house, too.
"Uh, do toilet seats count?"
My wife smiled her sweet smile again, a smile that could only mean, "So, stroller monger, what do you have to say for yourself now?"
I knew that another humor columnist named David had just been labeled a traitor. Meekly, I mumbled. "Lawn tractor seat?"
David Russell (yes, another humor columnist named David) laughs at his neighbor for parking both cars in the driveway to make room in the garage for four strollers for just one child. I laughed with him. Four strollers for just one baby is ridiculous, right?
However, David Russell becomes a parent himself, a condition that afflicts many unsuspecting homo sapiens, and he concludes that a call to his neighbor is warranted: "I need to see if he can help me get a fleet rate."
"Traitor!" I cried out. "Stroller monger!"
"Who's a traitor?" my wife asked as she walked in the room. "And just what is a stroller monger."
I resisted the obvious answer – that a stroller monger is somebody who mongs strollers. "David Russell. He says that one stroller is enough for any child, but then he decides to buy an entire fleet."
"Say, we could have saved a bundle if we had applied for a fleet rate," my wife mused.
"What? We don't have four strollers."
My wife smiled. It was a sweet smile you could just fall in love with...if you did not know that it meant, "Oh yes we do!"
"We do not."
"My wife took out her counting fingers. "First there is the car seat," she said, pressing down the first finger. "We snap it into the stroller base whenever we go anywhere."
"OK, that's one."
"Then there is the SUV," she said, pressing down on a second finger. The "SUV" is a full sized stroller. We bought it when we were still squeezing it on a downtown apartment. With no storage space, it stood in the entrance area, blocking our path to the kitchen and any hope of escaping if the place caught fire. The SUV is the Hummer of strollers.
"OK, that is a stroller, I will grant you. But that's just two."
"We also have the fold-up stroller," my wife said, pressing down a third finger.
"But she's not even using it yet."
"She will soon and we have it now," my wife pointed out. "Then there is the old fold-up stroller we kept as a backup. That makes four."
"You can't count duplicates. That's double counting."
"It takes double the space," my wife insisted. "We have four strollers.
I stared in silence. Slowly it sunk in. Yes, there were two Davids who were humor columnists, but there were also two Davids who were stroller-mongers.
Uh-oh. My wife was smiling again. She was watched for just the right moment to strike. "Our baby has more seats in this house than anybody else has."
"That's ridiculous." No sooner had the words left my mouth than I remembered the boomerang rule. Words like ridiculous, ludicrous, silly, stupid and big mouth usually apply only to the person who speaks them.
My wife rhymed off our seats, "Three on the couch, two chairs in the living room, six in the kitchen, one in the bathroom and one at each of our desks. Plus the three red chairs Little Lady has in the living room. That makes 17."
"Ha!" I knew it couldn't be true.
Then came that deadly sweet smile again, the smile that said, "Take my hand while I lead you around the house to see why you should think first and shout 'Aha!' later."
In the kitchen stood the high chair and the sit-in play saucer. In her office sat the rocking chair that never rocked and the bouncy chair that never bounced. There was the swing seat, and there were two cushion seats for sitting upright on the floor. She opened the door to the enclosed porch, and there were the four strollers and the car seat she would soon be using.
"That makes 12," my wife tallied. "We each have fewer than six."
I thought really hard. "Aha!" I said again, proudly pointing out that this time I had thought first and shouted 'Aha!' later.. "We have three chairs on the balcony, and six on the patio. There are also six folding chairs for the fire pit."
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and there was no reason to forget all the outdoors furniture at a time like this. Unfortunately, there was no reason to forget arithmetic, either. Our baby still had the most seats in the house – and outside the house, too.
"Uh, do toilet seats count?"
My wife smiled her sweet smile again, a smile that could only mean, "So, stroller monger, what do you have to say for yourself now?"
I knew that another humor columnist named David had just been labeled a traitor. Meekly, I mumbled. "Lawn tractor seat?"
A Minute Can Turn into Hours for the Child of a Work-at-Home Mom
In theory, working at home is an ideal situation. But in reality, it's difficult to balance the needs of your family with the needs of your clients.
Phones, fax machines and e-mails have no common courtesy, nor does your client really care about your personal situation. You are simply a means to an end consisting of a telephone number, an e-mail address and a 1099 at the end of the year. For the most part, you are not afforded special considerations and must respond to their needs or your business will suffer.
Long before I began my career as a writer, I was already a work-at-home mom. I provided outsourcing solution to a variety of clients, which included bookkeeping, personnel records, reports and creating employee handbooks and mission statements. Initially my clients were leery; it was a time when home businesses were just emerging. I went to great lengths to establish and maintain my associations. Part of my success was the perceived illusion was that I was available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Continuously, I had to prove my home life did not interfere with their business needs or deadlines.
One day, as I absentmindedly brushed my son off and repeated the phrase, "just a minute" for the fifth time, I suddenly realized why he had no concept of time. That "minute" I was speaking of was hours away, at best. The business I built so that I could be at home with him was also the business that was taking me away from him. I turned back to my computer to complete the report I was working on and my son returned to his video game in frustration. It was then I realized my solution was only a paragraph away.
I was experienced in writing mission statements for my clients. These leadership tools are used in the corporate world to define goals, values and purpose. A successful business takes commitment, resources, responsibility, problem solving, honesty and hard work. Doesn't that also define raising a child? Parenting consists of all those factors and so much more.
As in any business, the business of raising a child will bring accomplishments, successes and rewards, but it will also have it's share of conflicts, disappointments and setbacks. However, when it comes to the business of family the stakes are much greater than a new client, a contract, a promotion or a raise; they involve the wellbeing of your child.
The emotional difficulties of childhood serve to build strength, courage and character. But to a child, these conflicts may feel catastrophic if they have no one to turn to. You can help prepare your child to cope if you take time out each day to remind him how much you love him, express your commitment to his wellbeing and provide positive affirmations that help foster confidence.
Just as you keep focus on your business goals and rise to meet your company's mission statement, keep focus on your personal goals as a parent. Run your family business with the integrity and respect of a healthy, thriving corporation. Define your ideals, set plans to action, keep communications open and reward success. Encourage individuality, praise creativity and share the wealth. Be positive and proactive. The business of family is one to be celebrated and cherished. It may not be listed as a FORTURNE 500, but it is the most important business of all.
A PARENT'S MISSON STATEMENT
The purpose of this Mission Statement is to express my love, support and commitment to you. As your parent, I promise to help you achieve your dreams and goals by providing you with a safe and nurturing environment. I respect your opinion and I encourage your creativity. I will be there to praise your accomplishments and comfort you in your disappointments. I promise to accept you as you are, support your decisions and honor you as a special and unique individual. You have the right to a safe and happy childhood and as your parent, I am committed to providing this to you.
TIPS FOR WORKING AT HOME
The luxuries you dreamed of as a work-at-home mom can quickly lead to burdens unless you are organized and scheduled. This schedule consists of a balance between business and family and activities should work in harmony with your child's needs, not against them.
• Define your work area and organize it so valuable time can be spent on the task at hand.
• Determine quiet times, such as early morning or after your child goes to bed. Use this period to complete tasks that need the most concentration.
• Set a start and finish time for your workday.
• Allow a full day off from work each week and stick to this schedule as much as possible.
• Start each morning by talking with your child about the day's events. Include your child in these plans. By informing him of your activities, he will be comforted in the knowledge that there will be time for him.
• Remember that you are entitled to breaks, lunch, vacation time and even sick time. You are the boss.
• When it comes time for your break, stop working, compliment your child for his cooperation, and spend the next block of time enjoying the moment.
• Record an "out to lunch" message and set your phones daily. Even if you are sitting at your desk, do not answer the phones. Your clients will become accustom to your schedule.
• If you need to run an errand, but are concerned about missing an important call, don't wait around stressing, forward calls to your cell phone.
• Consider hiring a babysitter a few hours per week to read or play with your child or do a special craft.
Most of all, remember your priorities as a parent and your commitment to your personal mission statement. When your child needs to talk, be grateful he or she is turning to you. Keep the lines of communication open, there will come a time when they need you for more than a glass of milk and a snack. And when that time comes, they might not be able to wait, "just a minute".
Phones, fax machines and e-mails have no common courtesy, nor does your client really care about your personal situation. You are simply a means to an end consisting of a telephone number, an e-mail address and a 1099 at the end of the year. For the most part, you are not afforded special considerations and must respond to their needs or your business will suffer.
Long before I began my career as a writer, I was already a work-at-home mom. I provided outsourcing solution to a variety of clients, which included bookkeeping, personnel records, reports and creating employee handbooks and mission statements. Initially my clients were leery; it was a time when home businesses were just emerging. I went to great lengths to establish and maintain my associations. Part of my success was the perceived illusion was that I was available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Continuously, I had to prove my home life did not interfere with their business needs or deadlines.
One day, as I absentmindedly brushed my son off and repeated the phrase, "just a minute" for the fifth time, I suddenly realized why he had no concept of time. That "minute" I was speaking of was hours away, at best. The business I built so that I could be at home with him was also the business that was taking me away from him. I turned back to my computer to complete the report I was working on and my son returned to his video game in frustration. It was then I realized my solution was only a paragraph away.
I was experienced in writing mission statements for my clients. These leadership tools are used in the corporate world to define goals, values and purpose. A successful business takes commitment, resources, responsibility, problem solving, honesty and hard work. Doesn't that also define raising a child? Parenting consists of all those factors and so much more.
As in any business, the business of raising a child will bring accomplishments, successes and rewards, but it will also have it's share of conflicts, disappointments and setbacks. However, when it comes to the business of family the stakes are much greater than a new client, a contract, a promotion or a raise; they involve the wellbeing of your child.
The emotional difficulties of childhood serve to build strength, courage and character. But to a child, these conflicts may feel catastrophic if they have no one to turn to. You can help prepare your child to cope if you take time out each day to remind him how much you love him, express your commitment to his wellbeing and provide positive affirmations that help foster confidence.
Just as you keep focus on your business goals and rise to meet your company's mission statement, keep focus on your personal goals as a parent. Run your family business with the integrity and respect of a healthy, thriving corporation. Define your ideals, set plans to action, keep communications open and reward success. Encourage individuality, praise creativity and share the wealth. Be positive and proactive. The business of family is one to be celebrated and cherished. It may not be listed as a FORTURNE 500, but it is the most important business of all.
A PARENT'S MISSON STATEMENT
The purpose of this Mission Statement is to express my love, support and commitment to you. As your parent, I promise to help you achieve your dreams and goals by providing you with a safe and nurturing environment. I respect your opinion and I encourage your creativity. I will be there to praise your accomplishments and comfort you in your disappointments. I promise to accept you as you are, support your decisions and honor you as a special and unique individual. You have the right to a safe and happy childhood and as your parent, I am committed to providing this to you.
TIPS FOR WORKING AT HOME
The luxuries you dreamed of as a work-at-home mom can quickly lead to burdens unless you are organized and scheduled. This schedule consists of a balance between business and family and activities should work in harmony with your child's needs, not against them.
• Define your work area and organize it so valuable time can be spent on the task at hand.
• Determine quiet times, such as early morning or after your child goes to bed. Use this period to complete tasks that need the most concentration.
• Set a start and finish time for your workday.
• Allow a full day off from work each week and stick to this schedule as much as possible.
• Start each morning by talking with your child about the day's events. Include your child in these plans. By informing him of your activities, he will be comforted in the knowledge that there will be time for him.
• Remember that you are entitled to breaks, lunch, vacation time and even sick time. You are the boss.
• When it comes time for your break, stop working, compliment your child for his cooperation, and spend the next block of time enjoying the moment.
• Record an "out to lunch" message and set your phones daily. Even if you are sitting at your desk, do not answer the phones. Your clients will become accustom to your schedule.
• If you need to run an errand, but are concerned about missing an important call, don't wait around stressing, forward calls to your cell phone.
• Consider hiring a babysitter a few hours per week to read or play with your child or do a special craft.
Most of all, remember your priorities as a parent and your commitment to your personal mission statement. When your child needs to talk, be grateful he or she is turning to you. Keep the lines of communication open, there will come a time when they need you for more than a glass of milk and a snack. And when that time comes, they might not be able to wait, "just a minute".
Americans are Turning to Traditional Gifts for Holiday Season
ARA) - With daily lives run by cell phones, e-mails, and “personal digital assistants,” it’s no wonder Americans feel such a strong desire to reconnect with family, friends, and tradition during the holiday season. And what better way to reconnect than by giving traditional gifts with a handcrafted, personal touch?
Teddy bears have always been a welcomed site on Christmas morning, especially an old fashion teddy bear, like the one you remember as a child. The Vermont Teddy Bear Company handcrafts their teddy bears in the Green Mountains of Vermont and their bears feature the same fully jointed design as the first American Teddy Bear made in 1902.
“It’s an old fashioned high quality teddy bear, just as they describe in their catalog,” said Thomas Frazier, a Vermont Teddy Bear Customer from New Milford, New Jersey.
The company has over 100 bears to choose from and each one is guaranteed for life, so they’re sure to become old friends. Shoppers can choose a bear that reflects a person’s hobby, occupation, or lifestyle, such as the Snowboarder Bear or Biker Bear. The Baby’s First Christmas Bear can be personalized with baby’s name on the bib. Or try some tradition with a twist, with the officially licensed Elvis Bear perfect for that rock-n-roll lover!
In about the same amount of time it takes to wrap a present, holiday shoppers can enjoy stress free shopping by purchasing and sending a personalized, handmade Teddy Bear through the company’s Bear-Gram delivery service. In most cases, delivery to the recipient’s doorstep can be made within 24 hours.
“Last year for Christmas, I wanted to find my wife something special, and my purchase was all that and more,” said Tom Reich from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. “The bear was received ahead of the promised date and in beautiful condition.”
The company’s embroidery service makes it easy to get really personal for the holidays. Names and messages can be stitched or printed on many of the bears’ outfits, or on Santa hats. Every Bear-Gram gift comes with a free personalized holiday card and chocolate, all packaged in a colorful gift box with an air hole so the bear can “breathe.”
If you're looking for other traditional gift ideas, check out one of Vermont Teddy Bear's sister companies. The PajamaGram Company (www.PajamaGram.com) has over a hundred styles of sleepwear that can be sent as gifts in a keepsake organza hatbox complete with free lavender bath tea, "Do Not "Disturb" sign, and personalized gift card. The TastyGram Company (www.TastyGram.com) features the finest and freshest food gifts shipped directly from the kitchens and bakeries of our country's most talented culinary artisans. And Calyx & Corolla (www.CalyxandCorolla.com) offers luxury flowers fresh from the best growers around the world.
So no matter what your special plans are for the holidays, make sure you take the time to get personal with those you love. You can find teddy bears for loved ones of all ages online at www.VermontTeddyBear.com or with a five minute phone call to a Bear Counselor at (800) 829-BEAR.
Teddy bears have always been a welcomed site on Christmas morning, especially an old fashion teddy bear, like the one you remember as a child. The Vermont Teddy Bear Company handcrafts their teddy bears in the Green Mountains of Vermont and their bears feature the same fully jointed design as the first American Teddy Bear made in 1902.
“It’s an old fashioned high quality teddy bear, just as they describe in their catalog,” said Thomas Frazier, a Vermont Teddy Bear Customer from New Milford, New Jersey.
The company has over 100 bears to choose from and each one is guaranteed for life, so they’re sure to become old friends. Shoppers can choose a bear that reflects a person’s hobby, occupation, or lifestyle, such as the Snowboarder Bear or Biker Bear. The Baby’s First Christmas Bear can be personalized with baby’s name on the bib. Or try some tradition with a twist, with the officially licensed Elvis Bear perfect for that rock-n-roll lover!
In about the same amount of time it takes to wrap a present, holiday shoppers can enjoy stress free shopping by purchasing and sending a personalized, handmade Teddy Bear through the company’s Bear-Gram delivery service. In most cases, delivery to the recipient’s doorstep can be made within 24 hours.
“Last year for Christmas, I wanted to find my wife something special, and my purchase was all that and more,” said Tom Reich from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. “The bear was received ahead of the promised date and in beautiful condition.”
The company’s embroidery service makes it easy to get really personal for the holidays. Names and messages can be stitched or printed on many of the bears’ outfits, or on Santa hats. Every Bear-Gram gift comes with a free personalized holiday card and chocolate, all packaged in a colorful gift box with an air hole so the bear can “breathe.”
If you're looking for other traditional gift ideas, check out one of Vermont Teddy Bear's sister companies. The PajamaGram Company (www.PajamaGram.com) has over a hundred styles of sleepwear that can be sent as gifts in a keepsake organza hatbox complete with free lavender bath tea, "Do Not "Disturb" sign, and personalized gift card. The TastyGram Company (www.TastyGram.com) features the finest and freshest food gifts shipped directly from the kitchens and bakeries of our country's most talented culinary artisans. And Calyx & Corolla (www.CalyxandCorolla.com) offers luxury flowers fresh from the best growers around the world.
So no matter what your special plans are for the holidays, make sure you take the time to get personal with those you love. You can find teddy bears for loved ones of all ages online at www.VermontTeddyBear.com or with a five minute phone call to a Bear Counselor at (800) 829-BEAR.
All About Baby Highchairs
Baby highchairs are not necessary for your child if s/he is under six months of age. Although some companies make them so they recline for infants, they are not necessary until your child is able to sit up. The choice is yours.
Highchairs currently come with all kinds of features that are really more for the parent or caregiver than the child. Although the nicely padded seat covers make the seats comfortable. Some highchairs have wheels to make them easier to move however this is not necessary. Some are now coming with height adjustable mechanisms to accommodate your child’s growth and to be able bring the baby closer to the table. There are also adjustable foot rests to accommodate your child’s growth as well.
Most now fold for easy storage.
Highchairs now can be converted into play tables. Some of them have an insert that fits over the tray to give you baby a place to play. The feeding tray on many models come with an inset cup/bottle holder and some models have extra large feeding trays.
The base of the highchair should be broad and stable to help prevent the highchair from tipping. If your child leans over the side the chair could tip and injure your child. It is best then to teach your child to sit up all the time. Many highchairs are now foldable for easy storage.
When looking at highchairs some people express opinions about what the
highchair is made of. There are all wood chairs that tend to not be adjustable in height. There are metal framed highchairs with plastic trays and their are highchairs that are plastic.
There are things you can do to make the highchair safe place to be. Never leave your child unattended to go grab a bib, food, or answer the phone. It only takes a second for your baby to have an accident. You should have everything ready before putting your child in the chair.
Your child should always be strapped into the highchair without exception. The feeding tray will not prevent your baby from slipping under it and falling to the floor and possibly incurring an injury. If an older child slips under the tray they could get stuck and be injured.
If your high chair folds be sure that when you open it, that it locks in open position. If the chair collapses your baby could be hurt. This can be prevented with periodic checks of all parts of the chair.
Do not place the highchair near any place that the baby could push off from and possibly have an accident. Also do not place your baby’s chair near any wires that can be pulled on. All cords should be out of reach anyway.
When putting the feeding tray in place be sure to watch your child’s fingers. They could be pinched or severely cut. Also be sure the lock catches by tugging on the tray gently. It will not hold your child in place but if it is loose or doesn’t catch, your child if not strapped in could fall and get hurt.
Wear of the high chair can be hazardous. If the vinyl cover over foam is torn the baby could ingest small pieces of foam. Worn locking mechanisms could prevent the tray from staying in place. All belts and clasps should be checked for fraying or tears. The clasps for missing pieces or cracks. Cracked or chipped trays could cause injury or harbor germs. This type of check should be done before purchasing a second hand chair as well.
Highchairs currently come with all kinds of features that are really more for the parent or caregiver than the child. Although the nicely padded seat covers make the seats comfortable. Some highchairs have wheels to make them easier to move however this is not necessary. Some are now coming with height adjustable mechanisms to accommodate your child’s growth and to be able bring the baby closer to the table. There are also adjustable foot rests to accommodate your child’s growth as well.
Most now fold for easy storage.
Highchairs now can be converted into play tables. Some of them have an insert that fits over the tray to give you baby a place to play. The feeding tray on many models come with an inset cup/bottle holder and some models have extra large feeding trays.
The base of the highchair should be broad and stable to help prevent the highchair from tipping. If your child leans over the side the chair could tip and injure your child. It is best then to teach your child to sit up all the time. Many highchairs are now foldable for easy storage.
When looking at highchairs some people express opinions about what the
highchair is made of. There are all wood chairs that tend to not be adjustable in height. There are metal framed highchairs with plastic trays and their are highchairs that are plastic.
There are things you can do to make the highchair safe place to be. Never leave your child unattended to go grab a bib, food, or answer the phone. It only takes a second for your baby to have an accident. You should have everything ready before putting your child in the chair.
Your child should always be strapped into the highchair without exception. The feeding tray will not prevent your baby from slipping under it and falling to the floor and possibly incurring an injury. If an older child slips under the tray they could get stuck and be injured.
If your high chair folds be sure that when you open it, that it locks in open position. If the chair collapses your baby could be hurt. This can be prevented with periodic checks of all parts of the chair.
Do not place the highchair near any place that the baby could push off from and possibly have an accident. Also do not place your baby’s chair near any wires that can be pulled on. All cords should be out of reach anyway.
When putting the feeding tray in place be sure to watch your child’s fingers. They could be pinched or severely cut. Also be sure the lock catches by tugging on the tray gently. It will not hold your child in place but if it is loose or doesn’t catch, your child if not strapped in could fall and get hurt.
Wear of the high chair can be hazardous. If the vinyl cover over foam is torn the baby could ingest small pieces of foam. Worn locking mechanisms could prevent the tray from staying in place. All belts and clasps should be checked for fraying or tears. The clasps for missing pieces or cracks. Cracked or chipped trays could cause injury or harbor germs. This type of check should be done before purchasing a second hand chair as well.
A Lifelong Birth Gift
If you are a mom at home and think that you do not need a nanny, I am afraid you are wrong, but not because of any reason you may know about.
If you are thinking of hiring a nanny, no doubt you plan to choose her very carefully. We have all watched some of these scaring videos showing nannies bullying the children they were expected to take care of. Of course, to choose a woman who will not ill-treat your kid is the first point to consider. Fortunately, most nannies meet this requirement. So, which other points to come to?
I am not going to give you advice about things I know nothing about, or no more than any other mother. For medical advice, ask your doctor; for religious advice, ask your preacher; but for educational advice, ask a teacher.
Do the math:
One needs about a thousand hours to learn something.
The nanny is going to spend hundreds of hours with your beloved baby.
So: your baby is going to learn a lot from the nanny.
It is difficult to calculate how much time young children need to learn whatever. What we know for sure is that they learn almost continuously from any source of knowledge that they are exposed to.
Give your kid a source of knowledge that will provide him with a lifelong benefit. Hire a Polish nanny!
Polish language has a particularity: it contains most of the phonemes of the European languages; in fact all of them except the English/American sound "th" (but you are here) and the French "R", called "Parisian R".
By leaving your baby with a Polish au-pair girl regularly, you give him a gift he cannot lose or break: the ability to pronounce any phoneme without accent. There are many birth gifts but very few last lifelong.
So, even if you work at home, consider paying a Polish native speaker two hours twice a week. Your baby's future is worth it.
If you are thinking of hiring a nanny, no doubt you plan to choose her very carefully. We have all watched some of these scaring videos showing nannies bullying the children they were expected to take care of. Of course, to choose a woman who will not ill-treat your kid is the first point to consider. Fortunately, most nannies meet this requirement. So, which other points to come to?
I am not going to give you advice about things I know nothing about, or no more than any other mother. For medical advice, ask your doctor; for religious advice, ask your preacher; but for educational advice, ask a teacher.
Do the math:
One needs about a thousand hours to learn something.
The nanny is going to spend hundreds of hours with your beloved baby.
So: your baby is going to learn a lot from the nanny.
It is difficult to calculate how much time young children need to learn whatever. What we know for sure is that they learn almost continuously from any source of knowledge that they are exposed to.
Give your kid a source of knowledge that will provide him with a lifelong benefit. Hire a Polish nanny!
Polish language has a particularity: it contains most of the phonemes of the European languages; in fact all of them except the English/American sound "th" (but you are here) and the French "R", called "Parisian R".
By leaving your baby with a Polish au-pair girl regularly, you give him a gift he cannot lose or break: the ability to pronounce any phoneme without accent. There are many birth gifts but very few last lifelong.
So, even if you work at home, consider paying a Polish native speaker two hours twice a week. Your baby's future is worth it.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
A Man and His Baby
When a couple steps forth with a baby in tow everything in life is stable and normal. People hold open doors, hard shopkeepers “chuck” and go all gooey before catching themselves and generally life is an easy ride. But gentlemen, when he who dares to step-out with a baby in tow (minus the wife) life becomes a series of obstacles that never ceases to surprise.
I don’t mean a trip to the corner shop, “no siree”! I mean a fully-fledged trip into town, pram, milk bottles and spare nappies to boot! Small things are immediately noticeable, like that hard and mean-looking grocer down the road! When my wife goes in to his establishment he goes all gooey, in fact he doesn’t notice me at all; just talks to my wife and son and ignores me as if I was the invisible man. But walking in to his shop with only my son, an apple to buy before the days outing ahead and he became meaner and harder. In fact he noticed me for the first time, glared at me as if I had just stolen the kid and was on the run and said “hope that’s not for the little one”! I felt like saying what’s it got to do with you mate but ……………on the bus the driver who suggested that I sit near the front instead of upstairs was nearly out of his seat and taking the part of usher before realizing that this was not really in his job description!
Somehow some basic human instinct suggests that ‘man’ is neither capable nor fit to look after a baby! This instinct immediately raises the hairs on the backs of people’s necks, images of disaster loom in their minds and unseen forces push them forwards to offer help. They do not see a happy and carefree father pushing his laughing baby along in the pram, they see a harried father who is at his wits end and who is desperate for help. They see a tormented and unwilling baby, screaming and kicking in desperation, a father who is pulling his hair out and desperately looking around for somebody to just show him what to do.
Once in town and in the department store I headed straight for the baby changing room! Same routine as always except minus one cog – the wife! I did what I had done so many times before whilst my wife had sat down to read a magazine. Well, the plan was the same as all those times before, make the milk give my son the bottle, lay him down on the nappy changing “thingy”, change his nappy, etc! I did not even get as far as the hot water dispenser! One mum, before I had even entered the room stopped me in my tracks and in a very serious way informed me that the seat belt on the pram was not fastened. One has to be polite in situations like these; I myself planning ahead as always had removed the seat belt just then in preparation for lifting my son out of it once inside the baby room. I did not know of the golden rule that one cannot unfasten the seat belt until well inside closed doors!
Inside the room, some mystical being ran around the room telling all of the mums that a ‘father-alone’ was out and about! Upon entering heads swiveled in my direction, a series of forces pushing bodies towards me and unwanted advice started to escape from mouths. Once past I could hear whisperings, stories being generated and past on; a fictional myth growing in reality to become truth in mind! I shut myself off, warded off the numerous hands that where heading towards my sons cheeks like locusts, barged through with forced smiles and “no thanks”, and managed to get to the water machine. I smiled politely to the lady who showed me how to press the button for hot water, grimaced when told that the milk I had made was too hot (how did she know?) and nearly barked when asked “is the wife in not well dear”!
These kindly mums, whose husbands obviously knew nothing about how to change a nappy or feed a baby his milk, had my son crying within five minutes. He doesn’t like attention in the form of searching hands. He especially doesn’t like getting his cheek pinched or chin chucked! I felt like shouting “give him air” or wading in with elbows to rescue him but they were all so well-meaning, these poor mums! Needless to say that as my sons screaming and bawling intensified to maximum pitch the mums turned to me as one as if to say “look at the poor man, doesn’t know how to look after his baby”.
Naturally as they confirmed their belief that I was totally inept and useless, wandering hands gained purpose and started to lift my baby out of the pram to offer him comfort – my son hates strangers holding him! Well, I made a run for it, I grabbed the baby in mid-air, swiveled the pram around on a sixpence, closed my eyes tight and charged for the door, throwing aside mothers like pins at the bowling alley!
I went to the men’s toilet to change my son’s nappy! At least in the sanctity within, nobody talked to me, no advice was freely given and no insects to ward off. Naturally, looks of sympathy and confusion were issued freely, stories would abound later as husbands rushed to tell their wives about the “poor sad man with the baby” – but who cares, just don’t talk to me about it.
I suppose all is not so bad! A new dimension opened up, one that it would be best if my wife knew nothing about! I have never in my life had so many young ladies (ones who wouldn’t know what the inside of a baby changing room looked like) surrounding me; albeit they were cooing at my son but ……… something about single men with babies must be an attraction. Anyway, I always enjoyed their reaction when saying loudly, “ah, here’s my wife coming now”, the desertion was abrupt and complete! I know how to handle that one; it’s the
I don’t mean a trip to the corner shop, “no siree”! I mean a fully-fledged trip into town, pram, milk bottles and spare nappies to boot! Small things are immediately noticeable, like that hard and mean-looking grocer down the road! When my wife goes in to his establishment he goes all gooey, in fact he doesn’t notice me at all; just talks to my wife and son and ignores me as if I was the invisible man. But walking in to his shop with only my son, an apple to buy before the days outing ahead and he became meaner and harder. In fact he noticed me for the first time, glared at me as if I had just stolen the kid and was on the run and said “hope that’s not for the little one”! I felt like saying what’s it got to do with you mate but ……………on the bus the driver who suggested that I sit near the front instead of upstairs was nearly out of his seat and taking the part of usher before realizing that this was not really in his job description!
Somehow some basic human instinct suggests that ‘man’ is neither capable nor fit to look after a baby! This instinct immediately raises the hairs on the backs of people’s necks, images of disaster loom in their minds and unseen forces push them forwards to offer help. They do not see a happy and carefree father pushing his laughing baby along in the pram, they see a harried father who is at his wits end and who is desperate for help. They see a tormented and unwilling baby, screaming and kicking in desperation, a father who is pulling his hair out and desperately looking around for somebody to just show him what to do.
Once in town and in the department store I headed straight for the baby changing room! Same routine as always except minus one cog – the wife! I did what I had done so many times before whilst my wife had sat down to read a magazine. Well, the plan was the same as all those times before, make the milk give my son the bottle, lay him down on the nappy changing “thingy”, change his nappy, etc! I did not even get as far as the hot water dispenser! One mum, before I had even entered the room stopped me in my tracks and in a very serious way informed me that the seat belt on the pram was not fastened. One has to be polite in situations like these; I myself planning ahead as always had removed the seat belt just then in preparation for lifting my son out of it once inside the baby room. I did not know of the golden rule that one cannot unfasten the seat belt until well inside closed doors!
Inside the room, some mystical being ran around the room telling all of the mums that a ‘father-alone’ was out and about! Upon entering heads swiveled in my direction, a series of forces pushing bodies towards me and unwanted advice started to escape from mouths. Once past I could hear whisperings, stories being generated and past on; a fictional myth growing in reality to become truth in mind! I shut myself off, warded off the numerous hands that where heading towards my sons cheeks like locusts, barged through with forced smiles and “no thanks”, and managed to get to the water machine. I smiled politely to the lady who showed me how to press the button for hot water, grimaced when told that the milk I had made was too hot (how did she know?) and nearly barked when asked “is the wife in not well dear”!
These kindly mums, whose husbands obviously knew nothing about how to change a nappy or feed a baby his milk, had my son crying within five minutes. He doesn’t like attention in the form of searching hands. He especially doesn’t like getting his cheek pinched or chin chucked! I felt like shouting “give him air” or wading in with elbows to rescue him but they were all so well-meaning, these poor mums! Needless to say that as my sons screaming and bawling intensified to maximum pitch the mums turned to me as one as if to say “look at the poor man, doesn’t know how to look after his baby”.
Naturally as they confirmed their belief that I was totally inept and useless, wandering hands gained purpose and started to lift my baby out of the pram to offer him comfort – my son hates strangers holding him! Well, I made a run for it, I grabbed the baby in mid-air, swiveled the pram around on a sixpence, closed my eyes tight and charged for the door, throwing aside mothers like pins at the bowling alley!
I went to the men’s toilet to change my son’s nappy! At least in the sanctity within, nobody talked to me, no advice was freely given and no insects to ward off. Naturally, looks of sympathy and confusion were issued freely, stories would abound later as husbands rushed to tell their wives about the “poor sad man with the baby” – but who cares, just don’t talk to me about it.
I suppose all is not so bad! A new dimension opened up, one that it would be best if my wife knew nothing about! I have never in my life had so many young ladies (ones who wouldn’t know what the inside of a baby changing room looked like) surrounding me; albeit they were cooing at my son but ……… something about single men with babies must be an attraction. Anyway, I always enjoyed their reaction when saying loudly, “ah, here’s my wife coming now”, the desertion was abrupt and complete! I know how to handle that one; it’s the
A double baby stroller for double your fun
If yours is one of those lucky families whose numbers have increased by two instead of just one: a double baby stroller will be perfect for you. These come in either side-by-side or tandem seating and a double baby stroller can be found in any of the colors of the rainbow.
Babysitters find that pushing a double baby stroller allows them to easily manage two children rather than one, yet still be able to provide the personal attention to each that the little ones require. Most models have multiple pockets for carrying extra diapers, baby bottles, wipes and jackets and are made from a variety of long lasting materials.
The addition of two rain covers to a double baby stroller will keep your babies warm and dry and allow a walk outdoors in the fresh air in most weather conditions.
Babysitters find that pushing a double baby stroller allows them to easily manage two children rather than one, yet still be able to provide the personal attention to each that the little ones require. Most models have multiple pockets for carrying extra diapers, baby bottles, wipes and jackets and are made from a variety of long lasting materials.
The addition of two rain covers to a double baby stroller will keep your babies warm and dry and allow a walk outdoors in the fresh air in most weather conditions.
A Daddy Baby Shower - New Twist on the old Baby Shower
Try something new, a Daddy Baby Shower. Even though no one would realistically expect a new daddy-to-be to sit around with his closest buddies, opening baby shower gifts and playing party games while oohing and aahing over the imminent birth of his child. That doesn’t mean that Dad can’t have a baby shower-type celebration. Daddy deserves to celebrate the birth of his child, too!
Of course, the term baby shower does invoke visions of baby themed parties. Like the one described above when planning a baby shower. So perhaps “baby shower” is not an appropriate name for this get-together. Why limit yourself with a label, anyway? Call it a “celebrating-Jim’s-impending-fatherhood” party, if you want, instead of baby showers for dad.
Here are a few suggestions to make this type of party one for daddy-to-be to remember:
Play Games:
Well, not baby shower games. But you can play poker, horseshoes or even a game of shirts-n-skins football in the back yard.
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry:
Have tons of fattening and not-good-for-you foods. Make spareribs, cheese steaks, wings, and anything else you can eat with your hands and make a mess with. The wives won’t be there to complain and you can grunt all you want. Have some beers (or soda if you prefer) and barbecue.
Last Night Out:
Take the dad-to-be out for a night on the town to rival his bachelor party. Do some bar hopping, play some pool, shoot some darts, and don’t go home until you are kicked out of at least three places. Keep Dad safe, though, and designate someone to stay sober and make sure everyone gets home in one piece. You might also want to check with mom-to-be to make sure she is okay with this plan. She is, after all, pregnant and might not be all that amenable to the last-night-out-before-fatherhood party.
Gifts for Dad-To-Be:
Let the official baby shower take care of the baby necessities. Give Dad gifts for himself, or gifts that he would have chosen for the baby. Buy him a diaper tool kit, complete with goggles, rubber gloves, tongs, clothespin, and of course, diapering essentials, or a Daddy Gear Diaper Bag.
Gag gifts are fun, too. Or you could buy clothing for the new baby with Dad’s favorite sports team’s logo or matching Dad and Baby t-shirts. Think about necessities like batteries, too. Most likely they won’t be on Mom’s registry, but all parents know that batteries are a hot commodity in any house with children. Be creative.
And don’t forget that Dad might need some reading material to get himself up to date on the latest parenting trends. Consider getting him a book on fatherhood, funny or otherwise, or maybe a magazine subscription for daddy, such as American Baby Magazine.
Ask other new dads to think about what toys or objects were particularly helpful when their little ones were inconsolable, and either buy or recommend them for the times when dad-to-be is home alone with Junior.
Comfort Dad:
New Dads are usually pretty stressed out about what there life is going to be like after the new baby comes. Be prepared to have guests tell funny and helpful stories about their own experiences with becoming a daddy. Make it a point to reassure him that his wife is not really crazy, she is just hormonal and this, too, shall pass.
Of course, the term baby shower does invoke visions of baby themed parties. Like the one described above when planning a baby shower. So perhaps “baby shower” is not an appropriate name for this get-together. Why limit yourself with a label, anyway? Call it a “celebrating-Jim’s-impending-fatherhood” party, if you want, instead of baby showers for dad.
Here are a few suggestions to make this type of party one for daddy-to-be to remember:
Play Games:
Well, not baby shower games. But you can play poker, horseshoes or even a game of shirts-n-skins football in the back yard.
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry:
Have tons of fattening and not-good-for-you foods. Make spareribs, cheese steaks, wings, and anything else you can eat with your hands and make a mess with. The wives won’t be there to complain and you can grunt all you want. Have some beers (or soda if you prefer) and barbecue.
Last Night Out:
Take the dad-to-be out for a night on the town to rival his bachelor party. Do some bar hopping, play some pool, shoot some darts, and don’t go home until you are kicked out of at least three places. Keep Dad safe, though, and designate someone to stay sober and make sure everyone gets home in one piece. You might also want to check with mom-to-be to make sure she is okay with this plan. She is, after all, pregnant and might not be all that amenable to the last-night-out-before-fatherhood party.
Gifts for Dad-To-Be:
Let the official baby shower take care of the baby necessities. Give Dad gifts for himself, or gifts that he would have chosen for the baby. Buy him a diaper tool kit, complete with goggles, rubber gloves, tongs, clothespin, and of course, diapering essentials, or a Daddy Gear Diaper Bag.
Gag gifts are fun, too. Or you could buy clothing for the new baby with Dad’s favorite sports team’s logo or matching Dad and Baby t-shirts. Think about necessities like batteries, too. Most likely they won’t be on Mom’s registry, but all parents know that batteries are a hot commodity in any house with children. Be creative.
And don’t forget that Dad might need some reading material to get himself up to date on the latest parenting trends. Consider getting him a book on fatherhood, funny or otherwise, or maybe a magazine subscription for daddy, such as American Baby Magazine.
Ask other new dads to think about what toys or objects were particularly helpful when their little ones were inconsolable, and either buy or recommend them for the times when dad-to-be is home alone with Junior.
Comfort Dad:
New Dads are usually pretty stressed out about what there life is going to be like after the new baby comes. Be prepared to have guests tell funny and helpful stories about their own experiences with becoming a daddy. Make it a point to reassure him that his wife is not really crazy, she is just hormonal and this, too, shall pass.
A Baby Is Born With Several Reflexes
A Baby's Reflexes..
A baby is born with certain reflexes to protect them during the first few weeks. These reflexes will disappear after a few weeks and be replaced with voluntary movement during baby's development.
Doctors will check these reflexes to ensure his central nervous system is working correctly.
Walking Reflex
If you hold baby in an upright position with his feet touching the floor, his legs will seem to be trying to walk. This reflex will last for about 3-4 weeks, and he won't actually walk until he is around 12 months.
Crawling Reflex
Place baby on his stomach and he will take up a crawling position with his bottom in the air and his legs bent. This lasts for about two months when he will then be able to lie flat.
Search Reflex
Touch baby's cheek with your finger or breast and he will turn towards the source and open his mouth in search of food. This reflex will last for about 12 weeks.
Grasp Reflex
Place your finger in the palm of baby's hand and he will grasp it. This involuntary movement will persist for about 3 months.
Sucking Reflex
Put your (clean) finger in baby's mouth and he will suck on it. This reflex ensures he will be able to feed.
Diving Reflex
If baby is placed in water - either during a water birth or in a swimming pool - his throat will close so that he does not swallow the water. This means that baby will not drown if born in water, and he will also be a natural swimmer. This reflex will last for about 2 months, or longer if you take him swimming.
Babinski's Reflex
A baby is born with certain reflexes to protect them during the first few weeks. These reflexes will disappear after a few weeks and be replaced with voluntary movement during baby's development.
Doctors will check these reflexes to ensure his central nervous system is working correctly.
Walking Reflex
If you hold baby in an upright position with his feet touching the floor, his legs will seem to be trying to walk. This reflex will last for about 3-4 weeks, and he won't actually walk until he is around 12 months.
Crawling Reflex
Place baby on his stomach and he will take up a crawling position with his bottom in the air and his legs bent. This lasts for about two months when he will then be able to lie flat.
Search Reflex
Touch baby's cheek with your finger or breast and he will turn towards the source and open his mouth in search of food. This reflex will last for about 12 weeks.
Grasp Reflex
Place your finger in the palm of baby's hand and he will grasp it. This involuntary movement will persist for about 3 months.
Sucking Reflex
Put your (clean) finger in baby's mouth and he will suck on it. This reflex ensures he will be able to feed.
Diving Reflex
If baby is placed in water - either during a water birth or in a swimming pool - his throat will close so that he does not swallow the water. This means that baby will not drown if born in water, and he will also be a natural swimmer. This reflex will last for about 2 months, or longer if you take him swimming.
Babinski's Reflex
150-Million Year Old Baby Bird Fossil/ W Hide Scraper
I was using my metal detector in the foothills of Tucson, Arizona. As luck would have it, I never find what I am Seeking. As the day started to come to an end. I was walking back to my truck with the metal detector resting on my shoulder.
I caught sight of an unusual looking rock laying on the ground. After picking up the rock I dusted the rock on my pant leg and noticed a fossilized baby bird just off center of the stone. I turned the stone over to reveal more of the bird’s body on the back of the stone.
After showing the bird off to some of my friends, I decided to take the stone to the University of Arizona. I wanted to learn more about what I had found.
My first stop at the U of A was at the American History Museum. I was told to take my stone to the Paleontology Department across the lawn in front of where I was. When I got there I saw a professor in his office. I asked him if I could talk to a Paleontologist. He asked why, so I handed him the stone and preceded to tell him how I had found the stone. His eyes got big with excitement as he examined the stone while we walking down the hallway to another office. Soon theirs were several professor and people looking at the stone in awe over my good fortune. As they talked, I listened.
The rock I found was secondary sedimentary solidified black limestone. Which is not indigenous to this area. I was told the rock could have come from Canada, Montana, Kansas, China, or even from South America.
The baby bird fossil was 150 million years old. This period in time is when birds evolved from reptiles. Another professor pointed out to me other inclusions that were in the stone like plant matter, twigs, and other foreign objects not identifiable to him. A professor stated that there was proof that this rock was found on the top of the ground the impact marks etched into the rock as the rain hit the front of the stone for thousands of years while it lay on top of the ground. The marks were small circular pockets about the size of a pencil eraser grouped together. It was also mentioned that there was once other bones near the chest of the bird that had fallen out over time but the imprint of the bones are still visible. They could not identify the species of bird, as there is nothing on record, to compare it to.
I was asked by one of the professors if I wouldn’t mind waiting for one more professor who was still in class to come see the stone. He stated that this professor was part of their group and they wanted his opinion of the stone.
As he approached, I handed him, the stone. He looked at it for a moment and stated that this stone was an artifact that had been carved by primitive man into a tool used to scrape the flesh away from the hide of game killed for food. It turned out that this mans background is in the field of Archeology. A silence fell on the people gathered we listened to information being given about this rare find.
The archeologist asked one of the professors if he could borrow his microscope to look at the stone more in depth. The group moved down the hall to a small office where we entered. As I stood by his side, he examined the stone and stated that there were glassy areas on the sharp edge around the stone that were not visible to the naked eye. He said that the tendons and ligaments had polished parts of the stone while being used. He also stated that the hide scraper was in mint condition and had hardly been used. He went on to say that most hide scrappers that we see today in museums are small ovals that are badly worn due to their use, and then discarded when they become too small and useless. He also said that he had never seen a slightly used hide scraper before.
He made mention that he wished he knew what group of people had carved the hide scraper. He thought that person who carved the stone might possibly be the first person to be recorded or documented as the first person to be a collector of fossils. He also said that these primitive people were farmers, artists, traders much like the people of today.
He also stated that the position of the bird and the way it was hand carved into a tool to portrayed the bird in such a manner that this item would be considered true fossil art.
After things started to wind down, I felt as several people like me, were in every sense of the word in awe over what this man had to share with us. One of the questions I asked was how much was this unique item I had found worth? The answer was that this artifact with a fossil inside of it had never been seen, documented or recorded anywhere in the world. So because there was nothing to compare it to, this item would be considered priceless.
As people were leaving, a young lady, still full of excitement, that if she was me, I should take a picture of the hide scraper and put it on the internet, and said that I should put a price of 20 million dollars, being that there is only one of these unique hide scrapers in the world. The chances of finding anything like it again are probably one in a trillion.
To date I am the only one in the world that has found anything like this ever. Owning this rare Jewel is overwhelming and too great for any one person to own, so I would like to share my enthusiasm with you and your friends.
I caught sight of an unusual looking rock laying on the ground. After picking up the rock I dusted the rock on my pant leg and noticed a fossilized baby bird just off center of the stone. I turned the stone over to reveal more of the bird’s body on the back of the stone.
After showing the bird off to some of my friends, I decided to take the stone to the University of Arizona. I wanted to learn more about what I had found.
My first stop at the U of A was at the American History Museum. I was told to take my stone to the Paleontology Department across the lawn in front of where I was. When I got there I saw a professor in his office. I asked him if I could talk to a Paleontologist. He asked why, so I handed him the stone and preceded to tell him how I had found the stone. His eyes got big with excitement as he examined the stone while we walking down the hallway to another office. Soon theirs were several professor and people looking at the stone in awe over my good fortune. As they talked, I listened.
The rock I found was secondary sedimentary solidified black limestone. Which is not indigenous to this area. I was told the rock could have come from Canada, Montana, Kansas, China, or even from South America.
The baby bird fossil was 150 million years old. This period in time is when birds evolved from reptiles. Another professor pointed out to me other inclusions that were in the stone like plant matter, twigs, and other foreign objects not identifiable to him. A professor stated that there was proof that this rock was found on the top of the ground the impact marks etched into the rock as the rain hit the front of the stone for thousands of years while it lay on top of the ground. The marks were small circular pockets about the size of a pencil eraser grouped together. It was also mentioned that there was once other bones near the chest of the bird that had fallen out over time but the imprint of the bones are still visible. They could not identify the species of bird, as there is nothing on record, to compare it to.
I was asked by one of the professors if I wouldn’t mind waiting for one more professor who was still in class to come see the stone. He stated that this professor was part of their group and they wanted his opinion of the stone.
As he approached, I handed him, the stone. He looked at it for a moment and stated that this stone was an artifact that had been carved by primitive man into a tool used to scrape the flesh away from the hide of game killed for food. It turned out that this mans background is in the field of Archeology. A silence fell on the people gathered we listened to information being given about this rare find.
The archeologist asked one of the professors if he could borrow his microscope to look at the stone more in depth. The group moved down the hall to a small office where we entered. As I stood by his side, he examined the stone and stated that there were glassy areas on the sharp edge around the stone that were not visible to the naked eye. He said that the tendons and ligaments had polished parts of the stone while being used. He also stated that the hide scraper was in mint condition and had hardly been used. He went on to say that most hide scrappers that we see today in museums are small ovals that are badly worn due to their use, and then discarded when they become too small and useless. He also said that he had never seen a slightly used hide scraper before.
He made mention that he wished he knew what group of people had carved the hide scraper. He thought that person who carved the stone might possibly be the first person to be recorded or documented as the first person to be a collector of fossils. He also said that these primitive people were farmers, artists, traders much like the people of today.
He also stated that the position of the bird and the way it was hand carved into a tool to portrayed the bird in such a manner that this item would be considered true fossil art.
After things started to wind down, I felt as several people like me, were in every sense of the word in awe over what this man had to share with us. One of the questions I asked was how much was this unique item I had found worth? The answer was that this artifact with a fossil inside of it had never been seen, documented or recorded anywhere in the world. So because there was nothing to compare it to, this item would be considered priceless.
As people were leaving, a young lady, still full of excitement, that if she was me, I should take a picture of the hide scraper and put it on the internet, and said that I should put a price of 20 million dollars, being that there is only one of these unique hide scrapers in the world. The chances of finding anything like it again are probably one in a trillion.
To date I am the only one in the world that has found anything like this ever. Owning this rare Jewel is overwhelming and too great for any one person to own, so I would like to share my enthusiasm with you and your friends.
17 Ways to Determine if a Beanie Baby is Counterfeit
You should always buy Ty Beanie Babies from reputable dealers or from sellers who you know how to contact. These dealers and sellers should also have many references and/or feedback from other people they have done business with.
Most counterfeit Beanie Babies are easy to spot if you know what to look for. If you don't know what to look for then you will probably have a hard time telling most counterfeit Beanie Babies from authentic Ty Beanie Babies.
Beanie Baby shows are a good place to check out expensive Beanie Babies. Try to handle them if you can. Get to know the feel of the fabric and their overall appearance.
Some counterfeits are excellent reproductions, but regardless of how good the counterfeits look, they usually have many mistakes. It is never just one mistake.
If you are buying expensive Beanie Babies, then you should educate yourself on the counterfeits or at least know where to find the information when you need it.
Here are two websites that have information on counterfeit Beanie Babies along with photographs of many of them:
About Beanies Counterfeit Information http://www.aboutbeanies.com/fakes/index.html
Ms. Janie's Beanies Counterfeit Page http://www.msjanie.com/fakes/fake_page.html
Your other option is to have the Beanie Baby authenticated which is inexpensive to do. You can get your Beanie Babies authenticated at these websites:
http://www.pbbags.com/
http://www.peggyg.com/
Most of the mistakes on the counterfeits can be found on the tags. Become familiar with the different generation hang tags and tush tags or know where to look to find this information.
You can find information and photographs of all the different generation hang tags Ty has produced here: http://www.aboutbeanies.com/tags.html
Below are 17 ways to determine if a Beanie Baby is counterfeit:
Many of the counterfeits have spelling errors on the tags, but keep in mind that so do some of the authentic Ty Beanie Babies. So you usually have to look for other mistakes beside just this.
Check the tag dates and the addresses to make sure they are correct. Many of the counterfeits have the wrong date on the tush tag.
Compare the tags of the suspect Beanie Baby with the tags of another Ty Beanie Baby that you know to be authentic.
Is the type on the tags too light or too dark? Is it the right typeface?
Compare the tags to an authentic Ty Beanie Baby's tags and determine if the tags are smaller or larger than the authentic tags.
Compare the stock color inside the hang tag to another hang tag. Is it too white? Authentic tags have an off-white color.
Are the color of the hang tags identical? Or does the red and yellow on the hang tag look muted or too light or too dark? The hang tag should be blue red and not orange red.
The yellow star on the hang tag should be a bright sunshine yellow, not a mustard color.
Some of the counterfeit Beanie Babies have a yellow star on their hang tag that have points that are too "pointy." The points of authentic hang tag stars are slightly rounded.
Check the gold edge on the hang tag. It should have a nice clean line and be a light bright gold color. It shouldn't be brassy.
Check the overall size and shape of the Beanie. Some of the counterfeit Ty teddy bears have ears that are either too small or too large or perhaps the legs or arms are too short or are shaped strangely.
Is the teddy bear's head too large or overstuffed?
Check the eyes to see if they are too close together or too big or too small.
Are the eyes a solid color? Some Beanie Baby eyes are a solid color and some are not. Humphrey the camel has solid black eyes but most of the counterfeit Humphrey have eyes that are two-tone.
Check the fabric and see if it is rough or if the color is too dark or too light.
Does the fabric nap look right? Is the fabric rough, stiff or the wrong color?
Most authentic Beanies have nice plush fabric that "flows" in all directions and doesn't get "wrinkly."
One place you should avoid buying expensive Beanie Babies that are not authenticated, is online auctions like eBay. Odds are that if you buy enough of these expensive Beanie Babies that are not authenticated, that you will eventually end up buying some that are counterfeit.
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Most counterfeit Beanie Babies are easy to spot if you know what to look for. If you don't know what to look for then you will probably have a hard time telling most counterfeit Beanie Babies from authentic Ty Beanie Babies.
Beanie Baby shows are a good place to check out expensive Beanie Babies. Try to handle them if you can. Get to know the feel of the fabric and their overall appearance.
Some counterfeits are excellent reproductions, but regardless of how good the counterfeits look, they usually have many mistakes. It is never just one mistake.
If you are buying expensive Beanie Babies, then you should educate yourself on the counterfeits or at least know where to find the information when you need it.
Here are two websites that have information on counterfeit Beanie Babies along with photographs of many of them:
About Beanies Counterfeit Information http://www.aboutbeanies.com/fakes/index.html
Ms. Janie's Beanies Counterfeit Page http://www.msjanie.com/fakes/fake_page.html
Your other option is to have the Beanie Baby authenticated which is inexpensive to do. You can get your Beanie Babies authenticated at these websites:
http://www.pbbags.com/
http://www.peggyg.com/
Most of the mistakes on the counterfeits can be found on the tags. Become familiar with the different generation hang tags and tush tags or know where to look to find this information.
You can find information and photographs of all the different generation hang tags Ty has produced here: http://www.aboutbeanies.com/tags.html
Below are 17 ways to determine if a Beanie Baby is counterfeit:
Many of the counterfeits have spelling errors on the tags, but keep in mind that so do some of the authentic Ty Beanie Babies. So you usually have to look for other mistakes beside just this.
Check the tag dates and the addresses to make sure they are correct. Many of the counterfeits have the wrong date on the tush tag.
Compare the tags of the suspect Beanie Baby with the tags of another Ty Beanie Baby that you know to be authentic.
Is the type on the tags too light or too dark? Is it the right typeface?
Compare the tags to an authentic Ty Beanie Baby's tags and determine if the tags are smaller or larger than the authentic tags.
Compare the stock color inside the hang tag to another hang tag. Is it too white? Authentic tags have an off-white color.
Are the color of the hang tags identical? Or does the red and yellow on the hang tag look muted or too light or too dark? The hang tag should be blue red and not orange red.
The yellow star on the hang tag should be a bright sunshine yellow, not a mustard color.
Some of the counterfeit Beanie Babies have a yellow star on their hang tag that have points that are too "pointy." The points of authentic hang tag stars are slightly rounded.
Check the gold edge on the hang tag. It should have a nice clean line and be a light bright gold color. It shouldn't be brassy.
Check the overall size and shape of the Beanie. Some of the counterfeit Ty teddy bears have ears that are either too small or too large or perhaps the legs or arms are too short or are shaped strangely.
Is the teddy bear's head too large or overstuffed?
Check the eyes to see if they are too close together or too big or too small.
Are the eyes a solid color? Some Beanie Baby eyes are a solid color and some are not. Humphrey the camel has solid black eyes but most of the counterfeit Humphrey have eyes that are two-tone.
Check the fabric and see if it is rough or if the color is too dark or too light.
Does the fabric nap look right? Is the fabric rough, stiff or the wrong color?
Most authentic Beanies have nice plush fabric that "flows" in all directions and doesn't get "wrinkly."
One place you should avoid buying expensive Beanie Babies that are not authenticated, is online auctions like eBay. Odds are that if you buy enough of these expensive Beanie Babies that are not authenticated, that you will eventually end up buying some that are counterfeit.
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