Archive for the 'BABY & KIDS' Category

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Decorating for Baby?

Published on September 28, 2010 in BABY & KIDS and HAYNEEDLE. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Painting the Baby’s Room

Painting can seem like an undesirable chore, but – if you go about it right – painting the baby’s room can actually be a fun step during the “expecting” process.  What’s even more exciting is that, these days,  it’s conventional to defy convention. Get creative, and move beyond light blue and pink to the bubble-gum cigars. People everywhere are starting to experiment with bolder colors and adding murals and creative artwork to nursery walls. I’ve written a short guide to help you select baby-safe paint, exciting colors, and fun wall decals.

The Paint:

Selecting paint can be a cumbersome job. When choosing paint, make sure it’s low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound).  Volatile Organic Compound is a key component of the composition of oil-based paint, and even shows up in some traditional latex-based paints. Exposing a baby to paint VOC’s can trigger asthma attacks, eye irritation and respiratory problems, nausea, and dizziness – among other symptoms. Prolonged exposure has been linked to kidney and liver disease and even cancer. Some great low-VOC paint options: Green Seal Standard GS-11 paint, non-toxic paints, natural paints, and ceramic wall paints.

Colors:

Contrary to evidence found at Grandma’s, baby pinks, blues, yellows, and greens are not the only options when it comes to decorating the baby’s room.  Don’t be afraid to go bold, bright, and patterned.  When selecting the color you wish to paint your baby’s room think about the mood you want to convey.

Nursery DecorWarm colors portray intimacy, relaxation, and warmth. Reds and oranges also stimulate and excite people.  Affectionate people and those who love to read and relax are complemented by warm color schemes.

Light cool colors can have a calming effect. Cool colors can also make a small room seem more open and spacious.  Earth tones tend to ground the viewer and are a great choice for hyperactive children. Mixing and matching different color pallets can help balance the feeling of a room.

Themes:

Fifty percent of expecting couples choose to wait until the birth to find out the sex of the baby. If you don’t know, choosing a theme when decorating the baby’s room can be a challenge. Luckily for you, today’s nurseries are full of fun, funky, and often gender-neutral colors and accessories. Wall decals make it easy to add character and charm to any baby room. You can easily add trees and animal prints to a neutrally-painted room.  Earth tones allow you to choose more adventurous patterns and décor.  Add bright drapes to the room to help contrast the walls, or get inventive by using multi-colored frames and shadow boxes to encompass numbers, letters, and pictures.

Whatever color scheme you choose, if you put a little bit of yourself into the decoration it ‘ll be perfect for the little one you love. Don’t be afraid to let your inner decorator come out – it’ll be worth it in the end.

Check out these amazing resources to learn more about how to decorate, color meanings, and room décor inspirations.

Resources: About.com,  DecoratingKidsRooms.net, http://weedecor.com/,  http://www.thelaboroflove.com.

Are You Ready for Baby?

Published on September 28, 2010 in BABY & KIDS and HAYNEEDLE. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

As you prepare for your new arrival, the list of “things to consider” seems endless. A huge chunk of this list is dedicated to the daunting task of readying your home for a little one.  With that said, there are literally HUNDREDS of articles and books to read on the subject – which means a cache of information large enough to make you spit up. To help push the planning process through, I’ve taken the liberty of reading a bundle of these articles and pulled what I think are pivotal points to help you prepare for adding one more to the brood.

For most parents, getting the home ready for baby is an overwhelming experience. Here’s what I’ve gathered that will help you stress less about what to do in the coming months:

First Trimester:

  • You are pregnant! Enjoy the excitement and work on stocking healthy foods in the house.
  • Start planning a budget for adding the baby to the household. Try calculating the costs with this handy resource: http://www.babycenter.com/babyCostCalculator.htm

Second Trimester:

  • Evaluate your space. Where will the baby room be located? Where will you store the baby items? You will want to have this mapped out before your first baby shower.
  • Baby CribStart buying diapers as they go on sale in different sizes. You should plan to go through about 70 diapers per week.
  • Assemble crib towards end of the second trimester or beginning of third trimester.  Babies are unpredictable, and the last thing you want is to come home from the hospital with an unassembled crib. When choosing a crib select one with slats no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. Make sure the crib isn’t painted with lead or varnish. Cribs made after 1989 meet these safety rules.
  • Take stock of your medical equipment, and be sure to get what don’t have. You’ll want to be prepared for anything that comes up after your baby arrives.  You’ll need a rectal digital thermometer (not a mercury thermometer) and lubricant (petroleum jelly). Thought it sounds unpleasant, a rectal digital thermometer gives the best temperature reading for newborns. You’ll need non-aspirin liquid pain reliever for infants (such as acetaminophen), rubbing alcohol to help clean the umbilical cord stump, cotton swabs, saline drops to help relieve a stuffed nose, infant nail clippers, and a suction bulb for a little nose.

Third Trimester:

  • Make your home extra clean.  You’ll want to make sure you bring Baby home to a sterile environment. Since Mom to be will be tired, Dad to be should be willing to help around the house more. If cleaning isn’t his forte, think about hiring a service to help you get the down-and-dirty cleaning complete.
  • Have meals prepared in the freezer.  This will be great for when you get home from the hospital.  Odds are neither of you will feel like cooking much; having casseroles, pastas, stews on deck will make both your lives easier.
  • Stock up on household necessities.  The new baby will throw off your routine and your minds might be a little scattered (thus not realizing you are out of toilet paper until you need it).
  • Practice using the car seat- You can even have a certified instructor put your car seat base in your vehicle for you. Hospitals will not allow you to leave with your wee one if you don’t have the car seat properly installed.
  • Baby StrollerMake sure your stroller fits in your car.  Some strollers are bulkier than others, and may not suit your needs like the photo makes you think it will. Ensure the stroller is functional for your lifestyle.
  • Schedule someone to watch your house, pets, and/or children when the moment comes.  Have this lined up before the baby comes, so if your bundle of joy decides to come early you already have a game plan.
  • Wash baby clothes in a light detergent (Dreft or Ivory Snow)  a few weeks before the baby comes.  Between your own shopping and friends/family/shower guests, you’ll probably end up with oodles of outfits for your baby. Wash only necessities (baby onesies, burp cloths, socks, hats, blankets, few outfits). The trick is only take tags off a few items at a time – your baby will grow quickly and may outgrow outfits before even one use. If you save the receipts and leave on the tag, you’ll be able to exchange for a larger size when Baby becomes BIG Baby.   When it comes to baby clothes, you should have: 6-8 T-shirts or onesies, 6-8 sleepers, 4-6 pairs of booties or socks, 4-6 receiving blankets, and a few washcloths and towels. Disinfect bottles in hot water.
  • Make sure to disinfect any baby equipment such as bottles and pacifiers in hot boiling water.

I hope this list helps you as you ready your home for baby. Parents, I’d love to hear your feedback – anything missing from this list? Is there something you swear by that you’d be willing to share? Your experience is invaluable, please leave your comments below!


Resources:

http://www.babycenter.com/babyCostCalculator.htm

http://www.pregnancyetc.com/bringing-baby-home.htm

http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/298_26822.asp

Pet, Meet Baby. Baby, Meet Pet.

Published on September 27, 2010 in BABY & KIDS, HAYNEEDLE and PETS & ANIMALS. 3 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

Whether it’s a doggie or a kitty, your pet was probably your very first baby. Many couples bring a pet into their lives before having a child of their own. Although it’s not exactly the same as the real thing (way more fur) – pet-parenting can be a great first step towards starting a family.

When it comes time to welcome a baby home, there are usually valid concerns around how a pet will react to the new smallest member of the family. Here are a few things you can do before and after Baby arrives to help make the transition a safe, happy, and smooth one for every family member.

Before Baby Arrives…

    Sights, Smells, Sounds
    Begin getting your pet used to the sounds and smells that come with having a baby around. Play a tape recording of a baby crying. Put baby lotion on your hands before interacting with your pet. If possible, have a friend or family member with a baby or small child come over for short visits to see how your pet reacts. Make sure your pet is also used to having its paws, tail, and ears touched regularly.

    Routine
    Even though your time will likely be monopolized with caring for Baby it is still important to fit in time during your day to interact with your pet. Start getting your pet used to variations in their routine before the baby arrives. Try walking your pet at different times of the day. Change up play and training times and get your pet used to shorter, but perhaps more frequent, petting sessions. Change up feeding times slightly. This will help your pet begin to adapt to daily changes, since it’s doubtful that Baby will be adhering to anyone’s schedule for quite a while!

    Baby’s Room
    Have Baby’s room set up well before Baby’s arrival so your pet can get used to and explore the area. If there are items or areas that you don’t want your pet to have access to, this is a good time to start setting and enforcing those boundaries and limitations. Installing a screen door or pressure gate on the room is a handy way to keep your pet out while still offering them the ability to observe what is happening in the room.

    Training
    For dog owners, the time before baby arrives might be a perfect time to brush up on obedience classes to ensure consistency of basic commands like Sit, Stay, and Lay Down.

    Toxoplasmosis
    For cat owners, Toxoplasmosis might be a concern. Toxoplasmosis is a rare parasitic disease that can cause birth defects. While pregnant, women should avoid contact with cat feces. This does not mean you need to give up your cat, but it does mean that cleaning the litter box should be added to your husband’s “Honey Do” list. Learn more about Toxoplasmosis here.

Bringing Baby Home…

    Ask a friend or family member to bring a blanket or item of clothing with Baby’s scent on it so your pet can get used to how Baby smells before your arrival home.

    When Mom arrives home, have someone take Baby into another room so Mom can have a few quiet, calm moments to greet the pet before they meet the baby.

    When your pet is around Baby have treats handy to reward good behavior. Be sure to speak in positive tones around the baby so your pet can begin associating positive feelings with being around Baby.

    Be sure to spend some quality time with your pet when Baby is napping so they don’t get lost in the shuffle.

Enjoy the time with your growing family!

Lisa E

I welcome your feedback. Just click into this post to leave comments, questions or suggestions.
Follow me on Twitter! @hayneedlepets

I Wish I Would Have Known, Part 1

Published on September 23, 2010 in BABY & KIDS and HAYNEEDLE. 1 Comment Tags: , , .

The following is a collaborative post by two of Hayneedle’s own moms, Cat Koehler and Cate Adcock.

Cat and Cate are also mom bloggers and they thought it would be great to ask some moms out there “What do you wish you would have known about having a baby?”

The following is a collection of wisdom from several of our favorite mom-bloggers on pregnancy and childbirth. We would love to have you join the conversation, too. Share your own parenting wisdom with our readers by adding your thoughts in the comment section!

“What I wish I would have known about pregnancy…”

  1. That you are just along for the ride! – Liz, from “a belle, a bean, & a chicago dog”
  2. Not all women have a lovely glow during pregnancy. You will get a giant rear and maybe acne and barf for months…or not. There are no guarantees in this crap shoot, people. – Kathryn, from “The Coastal Chick”
  3. That it would save a lot of time, anger and frustration to just buy the shirt from cafepress.com that says “No, it’s not twins. Yes, they are sure. No, I’m not over due. Yes, they are sure” and “You can touch my belly if I can punch your face.” – Megan, from “Newly Wed Newly Bred”
  4. I wish I had known that people will make horrifically inappropriate comments to me. Constantly. I would have carried a knife with me at all times. – Veronica, from “Crunchy VT Mommy”
  5. You shouldn’t be held accountable for any and all irrational breakdowns. – Wanda Mae, Twitter id: @piggytailmommie
  6. Is that it would be the one time in my life I did everything right. Eating, drinking the right stuff (water, no caffeine, etc). – Alana Morales, from “Domestically Challenged”
  7. Gynocological math was calculated by a MAN! How else can 9 months = 40 weeks? And, heaven forbid if you are in week 42, which according to my doctor, “is well within the accepted time frame” for the little sucker to remain in utero. This is a LONG time to go without a margarita! – Cindi

“What I wish I would have known about Labor & Delivery…”

  1. The thing is, you have every right to beg mercilessly for pain medication, because they will try to steer you away from it, but in the end if you are persistent, your life will be a lot easier. Especially if you are getting no sleep just to have a baby arrive and then you REALLY never see the bed again. – Roxane, from “Roxane’s Days”
  2. Drugs are not bad…drugs are amazing and if I could have gotten my spinal in the parking lot I would have. Kathryn, from “The Coastal Chick”
  3. That everyone and their Mom will see your who-ha and be up in your business! And that it’s much easier to just roll with it, and have no shame! And that you’ll pretty much be wearing a diaper for the next 3-4 weeks, following that little bundle of joys arrival! – Megan, from “Newly Wed Newly Bred”
  4. I wish I had known that things can progress very quickly. I was incredibly unprepared to handle contractions that came one right after the other with no time for recovery. – Veronica, from “Crunchy VT Mommy”
  5. The ultimate goal is getting the baby out. Even if they come out of the curtain instead of down the chute. – Alana Morales, from “Domestically Challenged”
  6. That the “delivery” movie doesn’t really prepare you for labor pains. If someone would have said that labor pains are menstrual cramps times one million, then I would have known exactly what I was feeling at 3 in the morning. – Cindi

So, there’s a little perspective from some of our favorite mommies on pregnancy, D-Day, and some of the little things that often go unsaid. I’m sure we missed a few things, so give us your two cents below in the comments section. Don’t forget to stay tuned for future installments of “I Wish I Would Have Known”. Next, we’ll tackle what really happens when you bring that bundle home and have to feed it…all by yourself.

Cate Adcock shares stories of her funny, messy, frustrating and delicious life at Real Life With Kids. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RealLifeWKids

Cat Koehler writes about everything mommy, even the things we don’t want to talk about every Monday at Momaha.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Netlady29

Cocktails for Moms-To-Be

Published on September 21, 2010 in BABY & KIDS and HAYNEEDLE. 1 Comment Tags: , , .

Congrats, you’re expecting! This is a time to celebrate the growth of your family with the people that you love. But while others enjoy a cocktail to toast your little bun-in-the-oven, you probably find yourself struggling to find a mommy-friendly beverage toast the occasion. But you are not alone – there are many, many moms-to-be discovering the world of mouth-watering mocktails. We’ve done a little research and can’t wait to share some recipes that are both safe and delicious.

If the uncertainties of impending motherhood have you hankering for a highball or Harvey Wallbanger, Alyssa Gusenoff’s got your, er, belly.

Her forthcoming book, Margarita Mama Mocktails for Moms-to-Be (Quirk Books, $13) offers more than 60 creative and often wildly-named alcohol-free cocktails for women drinking for two.

Recipes include a grape juice-laden sangria; a coffee, raspberry, grape, and chocolate mixer called the Bulging Belly Button; and the grenadine-spiked Materni-Tini.

And while Gusenoff obviously has fun playing with the maternity theme, these drinks would work nicely for anyone avoiding alcohol.

Give the book a test run and mix up a Raging Hormone:

RAGING HORMONE

  • 6 to 7 fresh mint leaves
  • 1 ounce lemonade
  • 2 ounces cherry juice
  • 4 ounces ginger ale

In the bottom of a tall glass, muddle the mint leaves with the lemonade and cherry juice.

Add ice, then pour in the ginger ale.

Makes 1 serving.

Preggatinis: Alcohol-Free Cocktails for Moms-to-be

Mixologist Natalie Bovis, also known as the “Liquid Muse” shows how to make preggatinis – the perfect drinks to make for a baby shower!

Mamarita
From Preggatinis by Natalie Bovis-Nelsen

Ingredients

1 ounce agave nectar
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 ounce orange juice
3 ounces organic limeade
1 lime wheel
rimming salt

Directions
Rim a margarita glass and set aside. Stir agave nectar and lemon juice in the bottom of a mixing glass until nectar dissolves. Add orange juice, limeade, and ice, then shake vigorously. Strain into the margarita glass, and serve with a lime wheel on the rim.

Miami Mommy Mojito

1 heaping tablespoon diced strawberries
1 tablespoon torn basil
1 lime, cut into small chunks with peel on
4 oz. Fre White Zinfandel alcohol-removed wine
Splash of lemon-lime soda

Muddle strawberries, basil and lime in the bottom of a tall glass. Add ice. Fill with alcohol-removed White Zinfandel and finish with a splash of lemon-lime soda.

Sparkling Pomegranate

2 tablespoons granulated white sugar
1 sugar cube
Dash blood orange bitters
1 1/2 ounces pomegranate juice
3 ounces Fre Brut alcohol-removed sparkling wine
1 teaspoon pomegranate seeds

Rim a champagne flute with sugar. Place the sugar cube into the bottom of the flute and soak it with the bitters. Add pomegranate juice and alcohol-removed sparkling wine. Drop in pomegranate seeds.

Citrusy Red Sangria Punch

1 orange, cut into slices with peel on
1 lemon, cut into slices with peel on
1 lime, cut into slices with peel on
1/2 cup tangerine juice
1/2 cup pear cider
2 tablespoons sugar
2 bottles Fre Merlot alcohol-removed wine

Place cut fruit in a punch bowl and stir in tangerine juice, pear cider and sugar. Slowly add alcohol-removed wine. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours. Ladle it into wine goblets or punch cups when ready to serve.

Garden Rose

1 heaping tablespoon diced cucumber (peeled and seeded)
1 ounce rose infused simple syrup
3 ounces Fre Premium White alcohol-free wine
Splash of soda water
1 rose petal

Gently muddle cucumber and rose-infused syrup in the bottom of a mixing glass. Add ice and wine, then shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Top with soda water. Garnish with white rose petal.

To see more recipes visit our Facebook page to get in on the discussion!

Congratulations, again, and “Cheers” to you and baby!