The baby shower!

The baby shower is a tradition that has been around since the late 1800's. The purpose of this party is to "shower" the mother-to-be with support, love and gifts. For the new mom it is such a special experience to celebrate the birth of her new baby with her friends and family and to receive everything she needs for that new bundle of joy.

Let's talk about the three G's of the shower: Goodies, Games and Gifts!

Goodies

It's not a party if there is no food! So what will you feed your guests? Finger foods! Keep it simple. Chips and dips are always a favorite as well as mini pizzas. You could also go the healthier route and serve fresh fruits and vegetables.

Games

Never say "baby"- Every woman at the baby shower gets a necklace with safety pins or clothespins or some other baby object that can be easily removed. If you are caught saying the word "baby" you lose one of your safety pins to the person who caught you saying it. The woman with the most collected safety pins at the end of the party wins.

Candy bar in diaper - This is a classic baby shower game. Place melted candy bars inside of a diaper and have each guest guess what candy bar they are.

Gifts

When searching for that perfect gift to bring to the shower be sure to think of the needs of the new mother. In this economy it is important that you spend your dollars wisely and get something that is going to be of use to the new mom.

According to Babyshower101.com, one of the best shower gifts to give is the Newborn Care 101 Dvd. This great dvd gives parents the answers to frequently asked questions of pediatricians. Dr. Schoenwetter, MD gives step by step advice from the birth and through the newborn stages.

Newborn Care 101

Another great idea for a gift is clothes. Every baby needs clothes. A good thing to keep in mind is that the baby out grows the newborn clothing really quickly. 6-12 months sized clothing will be used more for a longer time. These cute little socks are sized from newborn to 12 months and they will be the hit of the shower!

Baby Socks

Diapers are a necessity and a cheap gift that any mother would appreciate. Diaper cakes are a trendy gift right now. They are cute decorative cakes that include diapers and other necessities for baby.

Furniture is a need and can be expensive for new parents. It is sometimes a good idea for party goers to help buy the crib/changing table/car seat in leu of other small gifts. Gift registry's are a great way for mom to let her guest's know exactly what she needs.

Gift Registy

Finally, anything organic is popular in the baby world right now. You can find organic bedding, mattresses, mattress pads, natural products for both mom and baby as well as clothing. These are great presents for any mom and baby.

Lotions and Potions

Organic Mattress Pad

Hot Hot Hot!

It's hot. Too HOT. You don't want to do anything except lay in front of the air conditioner and drink cold lemonade. Being outside brings nothing but sticky skin and wet hair. And to add to the heat, your body aches, and your hands and feet are swollen all because you are pregnant.

Pregnancy during the hot summer can be rough. Here are a few tips to make your summer comfortable:

1. Ditch the tennies and find some comfy sandals. "Many flip-flops don't offer any arch support, which you really need now," says Marlene Reid, DPM, a podiatrist who practices in Westmont, Illinois, and is a spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association. "Pregnancy hormones cause your ligaments and tendons to stretch in preparation for childbirth -- including the ones in your feet -- and you're also carrying a lot more weight than usual. This adds extra pressure on the bottoms of your feet and can cause pain, swelling, flat feet, tendinitis, and even more serious, permanent damage if you don't wear the right shoes." Choose some sandals that have arch support, are comfortable on your ailing feet and most importantly are cute!

2. Drink tons of water! Pregnant women should be drinking at least 6 to eight glasses of water a day, especially during the hot summer months. If you get sick of drinking water all day long, add a lemon slice or a sprig of mint. Eating fruits and veggies like watermelon, cantaloupe, and cucumber can also help to keep you hydrated.

3. Keep the sunscreen coming. Wearing sunscreen is always important but especially when you are pregnant. "The higher levels of estrogen in your body make you more susceptible to melasma, dark patches of skin that can appear on your face," says Elizabeth K. Hale, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology at New York University and spokesperson for the Skin Cancer Foundation. "Wearing sunscreen is the best way to avoid it, or prevent it from getting worse if you already have some discoloration." An SPF of 50 is recommended.

4. Swim! Swimming is a great way to keep cool and to get a little extra exercise. "Swimming is a great way to cool off on a hot summer day -- and my patients find that the buoyancy of the water really helps relieve pregnancy-related back strain," says Dr. Gregg.

5. Get a hair cut! Short, simple hair cuts are a great way to keep cool and stylish for the summer. After the baby is born it is harder for a lot of moms to keep up with their hair. Short hair can be easy to care for.

Keep cool and comfortable this summer! And make it a great summer!

Happy Father's Day!

Dad's are so important in our lives and sometimes we take them for granted.

My dad taught me to buckle my shoes and ride a bike. He taught me to eat different foods and to read different books. He taught me to always let mom do my hair. He taught me to control my temper. He taught me the value of friendship and the importance of family. He taught me to work hard for the things I want in life. But most importantly, he has always been there for me when I need him most! To me and my family, my dad gives us so much through his example and love for us. We couldn't ask for anything more from such an amazing man!

Happy Father's Day to all Dad's, old and young, new and experienced, we appreciate them all!

The big bed transition: When to make the switch.

My co-worker told a cute story about her 22 month-old at lunch the other day. They had come home after a long day and both parents wanted to go to bed. So they put her in her crib and coaxed her to go to bed. Mom and Dad collapsed into bed extremely exhausted. After a few minutes their door swung wide open. They sat straight up in bed fearing the worst...robber, burgular...no, it was none other than little Allie (name has been changed) with a cheesy grin on her face like "look what I did mom and dad!" For little Allie it is probably time to switch to a toddler bed.

My best friend is in the process of transitioning her 17 month old into a toddler bed. She is expecting baby number two this fall and wants to have plenty of time to transition Oliver (name has been changed) to his new toddler bed.

Which situation is the right situation? The answer is both. Transitioning to a toddler bed depends on the child and the parent. In both situations the parents were doing what is right for them. In Allie's case she needs to be transitioned soon so that she doesn't hurt herself as she continues to climb out of the crib. And in Oliver's case, his mom and dad are giving him several months to get used to the new bed before the new baby arrives and needs the crib.

Here are some important tips when transitioning:

1. Choose a functional bed that may be best for your toddler. We suggest the Anna (picture at the top) toddler bed or the Elizabeth toddler bed (at the bottom).

2. Make sure the time is right for your toddler and you. Don't make the change as a reaction to new conditions such as starting pre-school or making room for a new baby. In both these cases make sure you leave plenty of time before a big event.

3. Keep a routine. Stick to your usual bedtime routine and make sure the child understands that it is bedtime.

4. Make it fun! Make this transition as fun as possible for your toddler. Choose some new bedding or bring a new bedtime story to the new bed.

This is the Elizabeth Toddler bed. This cute little bed will grow with your toddler as it converts to a full size bed. Our current sale price for this is $159

Dr. Phil Pregnancy Myths and Facts

I found this great article about Pregnancy myths that I thought you would all be interested in!




With the help of Yfat Reiss, co-author of How to Make a Pregnant Woman Happy, Dr. Phil clarifies what's true and what is merely an old wives' tale.


1. Pregnant women crave pickles and ice cream.

False. Not all women crave pickles and ice cream, but food cravings such as these are based in fact. In general, food cravings can be very helpful in telling you what your body needs.

Explanation: Women who crave pickles are really craving salt and may be mineral deficient, and specifically sodium deficient. Additional minerals are particularly important in pregnancy when women's bodies increase blood volume by up to 20 percent, so the existing minerals are diluted.

Many women crave junk foods such as ice cream during pregnancy because junk food is associated with comfort. Sugars found in sweet foods, as well as in breads, pasta and rice cause the body to produce serotonin, which makes women feel good.

2. Pregnant women who carry low = boy, or pregnancy acne = girl.

False. How a woman carries depends on her body type and whether she has been pregnant before, but does not reflect gender. Pregnancy acne is unrelated to gender.

Explanation: Women tend to carry lower or higher depending on their body type. Taller, thinner women appear to carry higher. Shorter and fuller women appear to carry lower. Neither has any correlation to gender. Also, in a second pregnancy, since abdominal muscles may be looser, the pregnancy may appear to be lower.

Pregnancy acne has nothing to do with gender; it is a result of natural hormonal changes.

3. Pregnant women must eat for two; they must gain 25 pounds.

False. North Americans already eat for two prior to pregnancy!

Explanation: Thirty years ago, the average size of babies was 6 pounds. Today the average size is 8 pounds. There are many reasons for this, but one reason is over-eating, particularly unfavorable carbohydrates (breads, pastas, rice), and not getting enough vegetables, protein and healthy fats.

As long as a pregnant woman eats properly — and as long as her doctor is not concerned — there is no set formula for how much she must gain. Generally, in the last trimester, the baby gains half a pound a week. So, as a general rule, if, during this time, the pregnant woman is not gaining a bit more than that, her doctor may be concerned and her diet should be re-evaluated.

4. Pregnant women shouldn't take baths.

False. Pregnant women shouldn't take HOT baths.

Explanation: Women are told not to take baths because HOT water — over 98 degrees — is unfavorable to the pregnancy. Taking a warm (NOT HOT!) bath with someone to help you get in and out of the bath safely can help:

Decrease uncomfortable swelling in arms and legs.
Increase the amniotic fluid.
Prevent premature contractions.
Help the mother relax and alleviate anxiety about the health of her baby.

This is also why swimming is such a great pregnancy exercise.

5. Pregnant women shouldn't eat fish.

False. Although women are told not to eat fish due to mercury levels and fears of food poisoning, (a) women can choose fresh fish with low mercury levels and (b) fish oil has many benefits to the baby. After all, women in Japan don't stop eating sushi!

Explanation: Mercury and food poisoning are significant concerns. Women are individuals and every pregnancy is unique. Small white fish have lower mercury levels because they have been living in the ocean for a shorter period of time. Get fresh fish and smell it. A woman's sense of smell is heightened during pregnancy for a reason — the pregnant woman's body is helping her determine what is healthy for her baby.

Moreover, fish oil contains helpful Omega 3 fats, which actually enhance the development of the baby's brain, improve the baby's IQ, make the baby a better sleeper after birth, prevent premature contractions and premature labor, prevent high blood pressure during pregnancy, and act as an anti-inflammatory that prevent infection. If a pregnant woman is uncomfortable eating fish, she can visit her local health food store for fish oil supplements.

6. Pregnant women shouldn't change cat litter.

True. Due to a virus in cat feces called Toxoplasmosis.

Explanation: This virus can be very harmful to the pregnancy. But recognize that contact with kitty litter is not limited to changing the cat litter box. Since a cat walks on its litter, the virus can be tracked anywhere a cat walks, including its paws. Due to this, all contact with the cat must be limited and the house must be kept extra clean. Also, because much of our produce is grown outdoors where cats and other animals come in contact with it — even if it's organic — recognize that this virus may be present on fruits and vegetables.

7. Pregnant women shouldn't dye their hair.

False. Sort of. Pregnant women should avoid anything chemicalized — from food to hair dye.

Explanation: Just like with the foods they eat, pregnant women should try to expose their bodies to as few artificial products as possible. Hair dyes are no exception. Of course, that means redheads can use natural hennas.

8. Pregnant women should not carry heavy items.

True. Nothing more than 25 pounds.

Explanation: The pregnant body is already burdened by additional weight, which throws off a woman's balance and makes her more likely to fall. This and other things that cause a diminished sense of balance in pregnant women should be avoided, as a fall after the first trimester may be devastating to the pregnancy — always requiring immediate medical attention.

9. All pregnant women have morning sickness.

False. Women and their pregnancy hormone levels are individual.

Explanation: The feeling of morning sickness is often caused by a rise in the female hormone estrogen during pregnancy. If the pregnant woman's body already produced a high level of estrogen prior to her pregnancy, additional estrogen may cause morning sickness in the first trimester — or not. It really depends on the individual.

10. Pregnant women shouldn't drink alcohol.

True. Alcohol is 'feto-toxic,' which means it is poisonous to the growing baby.

Explanation: Just one drink a day can create a noticeable problem in the pregnancy. If someone told you that one pill of a certain drug is damaging to your baby, would you take half that pill or even one quarter?

11. Men cannot REALLY be a part of the pregnancy.

False. Making your life partner into your pregnancy partner can make a big difference in how much you enjoy your pregnancy.

Explanation: Pregnancy can be the most wonderful opportunity to bring a couple together as a solid team. When men are given the means to assist, pregnancy can make the relationship between that man and his pregnant partner exceptionally strong — strength a couple will need when baby arrives!