moms in the city

Mom's behavior influences dad's involvement with new baby

2008-06-19T11:10:00.001-04:00

June 18th, 2008 @ 6:30am

Randall Jeppesen reporting

New research shows mothers play a big role in influencing how much dad takes part in caring for a new baby.

The Ohio State research published in this month's Journal of Family Psychology suggests new dads can easily lose self-confidence in their ability to take care of a child if the mother constantly nags or criticizes how the dad is caring for the child.

"Yes, I think there's something to mothers hoarding the care early on in life that really can send signals to dad that he's either not welcome or not competent to be involved,"

Brigham Young University family life Professor Alan Hawkins says if the father gets frustrated and limits his fathering role, it can frustrate the mother down the road when she wants him more involved.

Hawkins says good communication between couples can help, and if a mom has to have something done a her way, she should try to find dad other ways he can be involved with the child.

Ashlee's Dad Selling Baby Pictures While Ashlee Denies Pregnancy

2008-04-22T20:02:00.001-04:00

Posted by Brett Singer

Joe Simpson, father of Ashlee and Jessica, has often showed himself to be, shall we say, a bit off (that's him in the photo, looking at his daughter). But never let it be said that the man isn't willing to do anything to make a buck.

The latest news is that Joe is trying to sell pictures of Ashlee's baby for (say this in a Dr. Evil voice) One Million Dollars. Apparently Joe would take the pictures himself (which he would get paid extra for) and Ashlee would appear on the cover of whatever glossy is willing to pony up enough cash.

There are three problems here:

One, no one is buying. One editor says that the pics would be worth, "$60,000 maybe." Do you ever wonder where they get these dollar amounts? The anonymously quoted editor went on to call the timing of the proposed sale "suspicious," since Ashlee has a new album out next week (which, sadly, is not called "Acid Reflux"). The editor also said, "Ashlee's lucky she got pregnant, frankly." Nice.

Two, Ashlee hasn't confirmed that she is pregnant, and her fiancé, Pete Wentz, actively denies the rumor, saying, "This is all news to me." Since rock stars aren't necessarily known for their strong connection to reality, it's possible that Ashlee is indeed pregnant and that Wentz doesn't know. But I kinda doubt it.

Three, IT'S JUST CREEPY.

Joe, here's some free advice: the girls make enough money. You make enough money off of the girls. Don't try to sell photos of your daughter's baby before she officially announces that she's pregnant. Just relax and enjoy life. Oh, and maybe get Ashlee some singing lessons.

popular baby names for 2007

2008-04-21T16:41:00.000-04:00

Top 10 baby boy names in the Capital Region for 2007

Based on Times Union birth announcements (not all hospitals are represented)

1. Jacob/Jakob

2. Logan

3. Nicholas/Nicolas/Nikolas

4. Alexander, Michael, Aiden/Ayden (tie)

5. Anthony

6. Christopher

7. Tyler, Ryan (tie)

8. Joseph

9. Joshua

10. Jack

Top 10 Boys' Names nationally for 2007

From BabyCenter.com

1. Aiden

2. Ethan

3. Jacob

4. Jayden

5. Caden

6. Noah

7. Jackson

8. Jack

9. Logan

10. Matthew

Top 10 Girls' Names in the Capital Region for 2007

Based on Times Union birth announcements (not all hospitals are represented)

1. Isabella

2. Emma

3. Olivia

4. Abigail/Abagail/other variations

5. Sophia/Sofia

6. Ava

7. Lily/Lilly

8. Emily/Emilie/Emilee

9. Elizabeth/Elisabeth

10. Chloe

Top 10 Girls' Names Nationally for 2007

From Babycenter.com

1. Sophia

2. Isabella

3. Emma

4. Madison

5. Ava

6. Addison

7. Hailey

8. Emily

9. Kaitlyn

10. Olivia

Unique baby names in the Capital Region for 2007

Based on Times Union birth announcements (not all hospitals represented)

Girls:

Summer Breeze

Patience

Mystic Storm

Meadow

Mahogany

Lyric

Luna

Goddess

Esmerelda

Annalore

Amerikiss Liberty

Dezyar

Unique

Boys:

Versace

Syre

Steele

Royal

Rainier

Primus

Ozzy

MarqDream

Linkin

Innocent

Butch

Axl Roze

Old views cast shadow on new dad

2008-04-14T22:58:00.001-04:00

There’s a good bit of chatter these days about what some are calling “The Coming American Matriarchy.”

National Journal columnist Jonathan Rauch, drawing on census data, suggests that American women will soon outnumber men in top professions and enjoy increased earning power. This is largely because they will have had more years of formal education, a trend already established among Americans in their mid-20s to mid-30s.

This raises the question: Who will take care of their children? Will women continue to run themselves ragged trying to be boss at work, full-time caregiver at home and on call for either obligation day and night? Or will they look to their mates, who, should projections hold, may not be putting in as many hours at work as they?

If the latter, some things are going to have to change, not the least of which are women’s attitudes toward their men as parents. A male friend who has three children put it this way, “Women have a way of making a father feel like the paralegal to her lawyer.”

As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. Many of us mothers believe that we alone know what’s best for our kids. How could we not? Our babies are, quite literally, flesh of our flesh. They recognize our voice before the voice of any other. We are frequently the first to sense changes in their physiology or their emotions. Doesn’t that mean we always know what’s best for them?

In a word, no. A personal example: After my son Jeff was born, I spent early mornings with him before going off to my full-time job at the Post. Husband Carl, who got home several hours before I did, took care of the early-evening duties.

But I took back over as soon as I walked in the house. I bathed Jeff and played with him for before putting him to bed. And then he turned 2, at which point Carl insisted he learn to play by himself at night. “He’s had adults by his side all day,” Carl said. “He’s not too young to start learning what he’s capable of.”

Without his mother, who’d been away for most of the day? Clearly Carl didn’t know the first thing about attachment theory. This dispute flared up regularly for months until I began to observe Jeff learning to entertain himself very well without TV, video games or his mother – a skill that has served him well.

Of course, other things keep today’s fathers away from fathering. Their fathers, thinking it enough to be reliable heads of household and breadwinners, didn’t teach them the same things our mothers taught us about tending to our offspring. As a result, many fathers assume they don’t know diddly squat. (My husband is not one of those men, God bless him.) As men, they don’t like doing something they don’t excel at right away. So do we really need to tell them what temperature to heat the baby food? Would it kill Adam or Annie to eat their Gerber oatmeal cold – as long as they eat it?

None of this is easy. We’re talking about changing habits of thought that go back to the days when women tended children in caves while their mates were out catching game and fighting off intruders.

Now, women are leaving the cave in increasing numbers and some men get nervous thinking women may one day lead the pack. Could it be that as men tiptoe back into the cave, we women worry that they’ll eventually take over?

Such concerns are common, says Paula England, a Stanford University sociologist and co-editor of the book “Unmarried Couples With Children.”

Both women and men feel more comfortable, she says, when a mother assumes a traditional male role than when a father assumes a historically female role. “The men don’t know how to take (child raising) on, and the women don’t trust them to.”

Such tugs of territory cross income and racial lines. The Urban Institute recently brought together university researchers who, under different federal grants, have been following thousands of young children and their mostly low-income, unmarried parents in cities around the country. One might assume the fathers in these families have little to do with their children or have disappeared entirely, but that is not the case, said Ronald Mincy, a professor of social policy at Columbia University and a principal investigator in one of the studies. Even among the dads who live apart from mother and child, half spend some time regularly with their children.

Conflict between the men and their partners keeps many of the dads from staying fully engaged, according to researchers. Is that because they don’t want to have anything to do with their kids? Or are the mothers of their children keeping them away?

Sociologist England says “the answer is usually some messy in-between. The guys all have stories that ‘She won’t let me see them.’ But the women will say there were good reasons beyond child support. ‘I know he’s been involved with drugs,’ they’ll say. ‘Or, he used to say he’d come get our kid and not show up. My son got heartbroken and I don’t want to expose him to that anymore.’ ”

That children do better in and out of school when in regular contact with fathers is well established. What is not as well understood is what that father-child contact should look like. “Our research on child development is entirely too matri-focal,” Mincy said.

Mothers know intuitively why we are important to our kids, and research has expanded what we know. Perhaps if we understood better how valuable fathers are in ways similar to, and different from, our own, we would do more to make parenting a true partnership. It also wouldn’t hurt if both mothers and fathers realized how forgiving kids can be. Kids give parents enormous credit just for trying. Neither sex has to get it perfect.

Even dads who don’t make a lot of money know they are going to have to get in the game more deeply. Many, in fact, look forward to it, according to Alford Young Jr., a professor of sociology at the University of Michigan. Young, who supervised a study of such men in Boston and Indianapolis, quoted from two of them at the Urban Institute.

“From what I’ve heard,” said a young man named Darnell, “fathers in the past were pretty much breadwinners and that was just about it. ... The father wasn’t back then ... as emotionally invested in the father-child relationship as they are now. ... It’s definitely going in the ... right direction, you know. Especially with women working more.”

Another subject, Brian, recalled friends coming over one time when his little daughter was living with him. He was braiding her hair.

“They like, ‘What you doing?’

“Ain’t nobody else going to do it. It’s all about being a daddy,” he responded. “I know I ain’t no punk. That’s what daddies do nowadays.”

If we mommies can let them.

Healthy tips can pave the way for those months of pregnancy

2008-04-08T12:14:00.001-04:00

By Sally Watts

Women who are thinking about starting a family within the next few months, or even years, can do a lot now to prepare their bodies for pregnancy. Taking some extra steps and precautions beforehand can prevent problems during pregnancy and ensure that mother and baby have the best chance for a happy, healthy nine months.

As with most lifestyle choices today, there is an increasing "greening" trend in pre-pregnancy and prenatal care, so a woman has more choices than ever about how to care for herself during this time in her life.

Following are some general things for women to consider before attempting to conceive. Be sure to check with your personal physician for advice that's tailored to you and your needs.
Nutrition

Dr. Craig Koniver, owner of Primary Plus Family Medicine and founder of The Center for Organic Medicine in Charleston, says one of the issues he sees most with women of childbearing age is that they do not consume enough healthy fat.

"Fat has gotten a bad rap by the media, but healthy fats are extremely important to moms-to-be, nursing moms and everyone else, for that matter," says Koniver, who, as a father as well as a physician, takes a special interest in pre-pregnancy and prenatal wellness.

Healthy omega-3 fats can be found in fatty fish, such as salmon or sardines. (Koniver recommends the Web site www.gotmercury.org to determine which types of fish are safest to eat.) Omega-3 fats also are present in foods that contain flax. Koniver says that it's easier to keep up with omega-3 intake if women supplement their pre-pregnancy and pregnancy diets with fish oil and/or flaxseed oil. Koniver recommends even higher doses of omega-3 fats than are generally prescribed to help cancel out the effects of other fats in the diet.

Koniver also says it's critical that pre-pregnant women take a balanced multivitamin that contains folic acid, as well as other healthy minerals. Folic acid is vital to fetal development and guards against several congenital malformations. He also suggests selenium, a trace mineral crucial for proper immune system and thyroid function.

It is important for women considering pregnancy, and even all women of childbearing age, to take a prenatal multivitamin daily, Koniver says. "It is nearly impossible for anyone to eat such a well-rounded diet every single day to capture the necessary vitamins and minerals that are needed for proper biochemical functioning."

Koniver also recommends women consume as many organic fruits and vegetables as possible. Avoiding pesticides and fungicides will help maintain the delicate hormone balance during pregnancy, he says.

Another nutritional key before attempting to get pregnant is good hydration, which keeps all body systems running smoothly. During pregnancy, a woman's total blood volume increases by 20 percent or more, and hydration is critical in maintaining health. By getting used to drinking a lot of water now, women can continue the habit after conception. According to the March of Dimes, lack of proper hydration can trigger preterm contractions.
The March of Dimes also suggests women cut back on caffeine before they become pregnant, as caffeine has been linked to miscarriage in studies. Again, it's better to get the habits in place before the pregnancy begins so they're easier to follow once you conceive.

A good exercise regimen should be established before getting pregnant, which would make it easier and more natural to continue during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before beginning any exercise routine, and again after becoming pregnant.

It's important for women to feel strong and fit beforehand so they can handle the physical challenges of pregnancy and manage labor effectively. Koniver says he doesn't have any specific exercise recommendations or requirements for pre-pregnant and pregnant women, except that they choose an exercise regimen they truly enjoy so it will be easier to stick with it.
Exercise also can help control weight if needed. Ideally, pre-pregnant women should be within their healthy weight range. If that's not realistic, losing even 5 percent to 10 percent of total body weight can be beneficial.

Risks associated with pregnancy in obese women include pre-term labor, pre-eclampsia (elevated blood pressure during pregnancy), diabetes and gestational diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, gestational diabetes is more prevalent among women who are overweight, and there also is a link between gestational diabetes and increased likelihood or developing Type 2 diabetes in the future.

Women who are overweight should speak with their doctor about realistic ways to get their weight under control and minimize risks before attempting to conceive.
Medications

What about medications? What's OK to take during pregnancy? Women should work closely with their doctor and other medical caregivers to evaluate carefully all their medications to determine which ones are safe during pregnancy.

Ideally, the pre-pregnant body should be as "pristine" as possible in terms of medications and nutritional intake. However, some medications might be necessary for the mother's health.
Heidi Murkoff, author of "What to Expect When You're Expecting," says making the determination about medications and pregnancy is not always clear-cut, as in the case with antidepressant drugs. Women who are taking antidepressants should sit down with their doctor and have a frank discussion about their medications, including specific risks and mental history. For some women, going off antidepressants before becoming pregnant can pose an even greater risk of harm to themselves or to their baby if the depression worsens or turns into postpartum depression after delivery.
Checkups and care

Before planning a baby, women should schedule a thorough checkup with their primary care physician and/or OB/GYN. Doctors can make recommendations based on medical history, age, weight and other relevant factors.

Many women don't know that a thorough dental cleaning and checkup are in order before trying to conceive. Aleka Thorvalson, a Charleston nutritional consultant, says oral health has a direct effect on body health. There is a strong scientific study link between even minor gum disease and the risk of pre-term labor. Additionally, Thorvalson says, X-rays should be avoided during pregnancy, so it's best to get to the dentist before attempting to conceive.

Women can also consider massage and relaxation treatments before pregnancy. Paige Bickar, a licensed massage therapist who offers fertility massage and pregnancy massage, helps women get ready for pregnancy with reflexology, acupressure and cranial sacral techniques. She says the field is fairly new, but is evolving quickly as an alternative to fertility clinics that sometimes rely heavily on hormone intake.

Pregnancy massage is available at several Lowcountry day spas.
Sally Watts is a Charleston freelance writer. E-mail her at sidlesup@yahoo.com.

Pamperers

2008-04-06T16:46:00.001-04:00

By KATE ZERNIKE

Published: April 6, 2008

Before a baby shower for the birth of my son last year, friends insisted I had to register for gifts, and enlisted my mother to escort me to Buy Buy Baby — two floors of everything you need for baby and a whole lot more you probably didn’t know needed to exist. My mother, a child of the Depression, held her tongue while I pored over the store’s list of must-buy products that she had somehow managed to do without while raising three children. We had spent 20 minutes trying to discern the difference between models of Diaper Genies when I came upon the Boppy Tummy Time pillow — which you apparently need in addition to the Boppy breast-feeding pillow, even though both are half-moon-shaped pieces of foam virtually indistinguishable from each other — and my mother began to giggle. We left without registering.

As Pamela Paul chronicles in her occasionally frightening account, “Parenting, Inc.,” my generation of parents has fallen into the grips of Big Baby. Pushed by a host of factors — the guilt and exhaustion of working parents, the dispersion of family networks that once passed knowledge from generation to generation, the pressure of admissions from preschool to college, and a culture that worships all things celebrity (including its offspring) — we are intimidated or bamboozled into buying all sorts of goods and services that we not only don’t need, but that may harm our children. Slaves to legions of professional advisers and predatory entrepreneurs, we are rendered unable to recall the advice Dr. Spock issued our parents: Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do.

Paul has tapped a real concern. An entire industry preys on parental anxiety, and succumbing to it, we risk raising children who don’t know what to do with “free” time and who will measure their value by what they can buy. Most parents will recognize a bit of themselves in Paul’s introductory complaint: “No matter what I do, someone else seems to be doing enviably more or improbably less, and either way, their child and family seem all the better for it.”

It’s not just the $800 strollers and fetal-education gizmos of her subtitle. It’s inventions like the Splash Shield to keep bath water in the tub or the TP Saver to foil curious hands before they undo the entire roll of toilet paper. There are baby “faires” to rival auto shows in convention centers around America and children’s country clubs in Manhattan, styled by the people who design the upscale Equinox Fitness Clubs, where children’s blouses sell for $380 and tots learn that it’s best to be exclusive when choosing playmates. (Just when I thought Paul might be reaching a bit, the PoshTots catalog arrived, offering a two-story Tumble Outpost for $122,730 — that is not a misprint — featuring a wraparound ramp, a tube slide and, presumably, at that price, a six-burner Viking range and water views.) Clearly, there’s a baby born to a rich sucker every minute.

Paul, the author of books on the pornography industry and “starter marriages,” includes horrifying quotations from marketers. “Everything we do is academic, even for toddlers and babies,” boasts one producer of computer software for children under 2. “There’s nothing in there that’s just purely for fun.” My competitive anxiety surged when I read Paul’s descriptions of the educational videos and software many parents buy, and it shot positively through the roof after reading the testimonials from those who insist that the “Your Baby Can Read!” videos allowed their child to read by age 1. But Paul nicely dismantles the claims of the “edutainment” industry, exposing the videos as little more than digital baby sitters. (Cancel my order!) Babies, one expert notes, simply filter out a lot of the stimulus from educational toys.

Paul tries to lead us out of the catastrophization of childhood but too often plays right into it. “It may sound like a leap to go from baby toys to the death of democracy, but it’s a valid concern,” she approvingly quotes a child advocate saying. “A democratic populace relies on people who know how to think critically, who are willing and able to take action.” She overreaches with statements like “Any woman worth the cover price of InStyle fantasizes about an array of diaper bags to suit various outfits and occasions.” Well, no. And, as she notes, the No. 1 registered-for item at Amazon’s baby store is diapers.

Paul is right that for some parents, children have become status symbols. “Three is the new two when it comes to having kids,” a Manhattan preschool admissions adviser tells her. (Or, as my sister-in-law, an Upper East Side obstetrician, says, “Three is the new Hummer.”)

Paul also correctly notes that the frenzy she chronicles is most acute in New York City, where she lives. But she strains when she argues it exists beyond the coasts and in small-town America, and then identifies these places as Newton, Mass.; Bethesda, Md.; Falls Church, Va.; and New Canaan, Conn. — hardly Peoria, where the median price of a house is less than that PoshTots Tumble Outpost. And she backs her case with poll and survey results that convey a breezy certainty, but on reflection can seem a little thin. One online survey of mothers, she tells us, found that “18 percent wanted to spend less time doing housework and more time with their children.” Only 18 percent?

Paul says she talked to parents, but I would have liked to hear more of their voices and less from the news stories and experts she quotes extensively. My guess is that most parents would share my panic in the face of Buy Buy Baby and then discover, as I did, that even the product that friends insist you must have is actually an encumbrance (and that all your lovingly selected toys pale when the kid discovers he can pull the saucepans out of the cupboard).

Most of us feel the pangs and then figure out some happy medium. We hyperventilate, we overbuy, and then we get a talking-to by a friend, a mother or a pediatrician (like the one who told me after we’d spent hundreds of dollars on a changing table that the only place to change the baby was on the floor), and we self-correct. Paul herself seems to come to this conclusion as she describes working out her son’s feeding woes. She even finds some good in the parenting industry: Web sites have put experts and blogging parents at our fingertips, and make it “a snap” to buy toys from abroad or the latest baby gear from Amsterdam, Sweden and New Zealand.

I, sanctimommy, raise an eyebrow at that carbon footprint. But then, Paul frowns on my Stokke highchair. So see? Not all models look the same, but in the end, we each figure out a way to, yes, trust ourselves.

Kate Zernike is a national correspondent at The Times.

Hit toddlers sleep poorly

2008-03-30T19:36:00.003-04:00

MOTHERS who shout or smack are more likely to have toddlers with sleep difficulties, but researchers do not know if the aggressive parenting style is a cause or effect of the problems.

A pediatrician from Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital has crunched data from 4600 families to analyse whether the parenting method has any effect on sleep behaviour of children between the ages of one and three.

Harriet Hiscock found children are nearly twice as likely to have sleep problems that persist through the toddler years if their mother's parenting style is "hostile" rather than "warm".

"Hostile" was characterised by yelling or physical punishment such as smacking.

But her research has opened a chicken-and-egg debate because it is not clear whether the sleep problems are caused by the mothers' parenting, or if the frazzled mothers have resorted to shouting at their sleep-deprived, cranky children.

"It's always a cause-and-effect argument and you can't really conclude from this which one occurs first," Dr Hiscock said.

She found the biggest predictor of persistent sleep problems was a child's health. Babies and toddlers with chronic health problems such as asthma or autism were more than three times more likely to suffer sleep problems than healthy children.

The data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children found some good news: 75% of children had no sleep problems at either of the two reporting times, at ages one and three.

Two-thirds of sleeping problems reported at age one were resolved by the second study, but about one in 20 of the children had sleep problems that persisted over the years.

About 10% of those who were sleeping beauties at the first point developed a sleep problem by the time they were three.

Mothers' parenting style was not a big factor in sleep problems at the age of one, but became an issue by the second study.

Fathers' parenting style was not as significant, but emerged as a factor for children who developed sleep disorders when they were older toddlers.

"Again, that might be reflecting that kids who do have a sleep problem, the parents become hostile rather than the parenting style affecting the sleep," Dr Hiscock said.

Families in financial stress were also more likely to have a child with sleep problems, as were families in which the mother suffered a serious mental illness.

Dr Hiscock said parents should ask for help from doctors or family support services if their babies or toddlers were not sleeping well and the family was suffering effects of sleep deprivation.

This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/03/30/1206850707225.html

What to Buy Your Baby - Are Bugaboos Really Worth the Money?

2008-03-26T14:35:00.003-04:00

By Charity Vogel - NEWS STAFF REPORTER

You may remember her controversial first book, “The Starter Marriage,” which outlined a trend among people in their 20s and 30s for short first marriages and quick divorces.

Or maybe her second book, “Pornified,” which looked at the proliferation of pornography in modern American society.

Now, Pamela Paul is once again taking on a taboo topic: how today’s young parents are raising their babies.

In “Parenting, Inc.,” due for release next Tuesday, freelance journalist Paul dissects what she sees as the over-commercialization of parenting and babyhood.

The subtitle of the book conveys her concerns: “How We Are Sold On $800 Strollers, Fetal Education, Baby Sign Language, Sleeping Coaches, Toddler Couture, and Diaper Wipe Warmers — and What It Means for Our Children.”

Reached at her home in New York City, where she was catching a break from caring for her two kids under age 3 — Beatrice and Tobias — Paul answered questions about her new book and admitted that she feels as vulnerable as any other parent to the consumer- driven baby marketplace.

“I’m just like any parent,” she admitted. “I’m living in this culture, in this economy. Like any parent, I’m vulnerable. And so yeah, we have an extra MacLaren stroller in our basement.
“But I can’t give it away,” she laughs, “because everybody wants only the latest model.”
But Paul did draw the line at Baby Einstein. Her kids don’t watch it.

With that, here are eight questions for the ever-provocative Paul:

Hollywood has gone baby-crazy. What have celebritiesdone to parenthood?
They’ve done to parenthood what they’ve done to every other sector of American lifestyles and consumer spending: that is, elevate it, amplify it, blow it out of control.

We live in such a celebrity-crazed culture — and not just celebrity-obsessed, but celebrity- consumer-obsessed. We want to buy like them. And now we want our babies to be like theirs, and we want to buy for our babies like they do. Even more so than us wanting to have the same Versace gown, we want Giorgio Armani cardigan sets for our newborn.

And we don’t feel as guilty about it, or as silly — because it’s not for us, it’s for our babies.

You write about how peoplenow spend $800 on upscalestrollers — formerly a$150 item —

without blinkingan eye. What spurredthis change?

Bugaboo happened — and they were brilliant. An executive at Bugaboo (an upscale stroller company founded in Holland in 1999) said to me, “Look, women are spending $300 on shoes these days, and they wear them for a year. Why wouldn’t they spend $800 on something their children are going to be sitting in for four years?” And he was right.

It used to be a stroller was just something you had to get, and you shoved it in your hallway, and you didn’t think much about it. People didn’t used to go stroller-shopping. It wasn’t a cause for major research. It’s just amazing the amount of thought that goes into this now.

And, you argue, for simpler baby products — like diaper bags — the same is true?

A diaper bag used to be truly utilitarian. You used a grocery bag, or a L.L. Bean tote. Now you need a special bag for the purpose of carrying diapers. You even probably have several diaper bags — one smaller one, one larger one, and so on.

And they’re pricey. In the same way that Coach has convinced women that a handbag is a one-season object, that’s now crossed over to diaper bags. And these bags can cost in the hundreds of dollars.

Babies-R-Us, and storeslike it, are packed floor-to-ceilingwith products of alldescriptions for today’s babies.Do parents need all this stuff?

Think about it this way: Benjamin Franklin grew up, and he did fine. How much of all that baby gear did his parents have? None. If you look at a history of toys, none of this even existed until recently.

How much do you really need? Not much. How much can you use — as in, find a use for? A lot. It’s very easy to fall into the trap of wanting all this stuff. It’s not evil. It can be great. But how much do you really need?”

So what’s wrong with battery-operated, computer-chip-loaded toys?

Studies show the simplest toys are the best ones. But every toy is electronic now, and it’s hugely depressing. And you can get trapped into buying them. Take activity tables — can you find one nowadays that just has things to manipulate, without noise and flashing lights? Not easily.
And, for kids, this all just ups their expectations of what a toy is supposed to be. If it doesn’t light up and make music, they’re bored.”

You write that many newparents now arrange theirlives around the schedules oftheir babies and toddlers,rather than the reverse.Why? And what’s wrongwith that?

I think we’ve become child-centric in such a way that it may not be in the best interests of our own children, or our own interests, or in the best interests of the family as a whole.
Kids raised like this get used to being in the spotlight, all the time, and they get used to being the center of attention. When they get into school — where they’re not the center of attention — it’s going to be harder for them. Parents are setting them up for problems.

Children have to learn to operate in a real world. Sometimes the grown-ups will have a conversation that they are not a part of, and they will have to sit and be quiet until it’s done. Not learning that skill early in life will be a very bad thing for them.

You analyze the BabyEinstein phenomenon andargue that today’s parentsare suckers for any product— especially DVD or computer-related — that promisesto make their babiessmarter. What’s going onhere?

If Baby Einstein had been named ‘Happy Baby TV Time,’ it would have just basically adequately described what’s going on with Baby Einstein. Which is: this teaches your child to sit still and watch TV.

Do you think our babies actually need to be trained to be couch potatoes?
There is nothing you can show your baby on TV that is going to be more educational than what you can show them in your backyard.

It’s similar with computer games. People say, we live in a computer age, I need to get my kids started with the Web so they can be technology-literate. I mean, what ? The computer for a 1-year-old is one thing only: a video game. So if you’re really excited to get your kid into gaming — then go ahead.

What can parents doabout this over-commercializationof childhood?

Abstain. And constantly remind yourself, every time you’re about to make an expenditure, “Why am I doing this? Is it to make life easier for me?” Pause before you do it. Look in your toy room. Just think, let me look at the toys I have on hand; when is the last time my child played with this toy?

Circulating toys is a great idea. Take some away, put them in the basement and attic, and then wait six months. Bring them out again and they will be like new toys.

Oh, baby! Look at you now in designer duds

2008-03-22T22:51:00.002-04:00

pwiser@suntimes.com

While many adults find it difficult to dress fashionably, consider the plight of the toddler. There's nothing but applesauce-stained synthetic fabrics in their closets, and until those chubby fingers learn to fasten their own buttons, little girls are at the mercy of Mom.

Now, worse news: Suri Cruise has upped the ante.

Since she arrived on the celebrity circuit, Suri has been impeccably turned out in Armani, Juicy Couture, Ralph Lauren and Chloe. And rumor has it that Katie Holmes ordered a custom pair of Christian Louboutin shoes for $3,000.

Maybe that's why so many of her peers are drooling.

As the average age of parents gets higher, they seem to be spending more money on their children's clothes. Mothers who have never owned Burberry items are splurging on designer plaid kilts for their kids.

Cynthia Jamin, an actress who landed roles on "Friends" and "Don't Shoot Me," wanted even more glamor for her girls, Roxy, 6, and Lola, 4. Her TwirlyGirl creations are for funky princesses with $70 to burn.

The dresses reflect the new consumer mentality. "Every girl who wears a TwirlyGirl dress is unique," says Jamin. "I want the dress to be as extraordinary as she is."

Among TwirlyGirl's extraordinary fans: Brooke Shields' daughter Rowan, Gwyneth Paltrow's daughter Apple and Heather Locklear's daughter Ava.

Beware of getting carried away, though, says Pamela Paul, author of Parenting, Inc.: How We Are Sold on $800 Strollers, Fetal Education, Baby Sign Language, Sleeping Coaches, Toddler Couture, and Diaper Wipe Warmers -- and What It Means for Our Children. Designer clothes come at too great a price if they keep kids from playing in the mud.

"The message is that what you wear is really important," says Paul. "I do think there are repercussions, and psychologists who study the effects of money and branding culture on kids notice the same thing. Certainly in an era in which second-graders are incredibly brand conscious -- insisting on $100-plus jeans -- starting this at age 2 is not a good idea."

So explore options. While it's possible to spend $625 on an Easter Sunday dress from Posh Tots.com, there's one way to cut down on clothing costs: rental. Gagas.com offers a selection of thousands of formal kids' clothes, so you can spend just $15.99 on a size 3T silk shantung dress, and keep it for three weeks.

It might be a good idea to start saving. It's hard enough keeping up with Suri's wardrobe -- but just wait until Jennifer Lopez's daughter Emme gets a little older.

Public Health Risk Seen as Parents Reject Vaccines

2008-03-21T12:57:00.001-04:00

By JENNIFER STEINHAUER

SAN DIEGO — In a highly unusual outbreak of measles here last month, 12 children fell ill; nine of them had not been inoculated against the virus because their parents objected, and the other three were too young to receive vaccines.

The parents who objected to their children being inoculated are among a small but growing number of vaccine skeptics in California and other states who take advantage of exemptions to laws requiring vaccinations for school-age children.

The exemptions have been growing since the early 1990s at a rate that many epidemiologists, public health officials and physicians find disturbing.

Children who are not vaccinated are unnecessarily susceptible to serious illnesses, they say, but also present a danger to children who have had their shots — the measles vaccine, for instance, is only 95 percent effective — and to those children too young to receive certain vaccines.

Measles, almost wholly eradicated in the United States through vaccines, can cause pneumonia and brain swelling, which in rare cases can lead to death. The measles outbreak here alarmed public health officials, sickened babies and sent one child to the hospital.

Every state allows medical exemptions, and most permit exemptions based on religious practices. But an increasing number of the vaccine skeptics belong to a different group — those who object to the inoculations because of their personal beliefs, often related to an unproven notion that vaccines are linked to autism and other disorders.

Twenty states, including California, Ohio and Texas, allow some kind of personal exemption, according to a tally by the Johns Hopkins University.

“I refuse to sacrifice my children for the greater good,” said Sybil Carlson, whose 6-year-old son goes to school with several of the children hit by the measles outbreak here. The boy is immunized against some diseases but not measles, Ms. Carlson said, while his 3-year-old brother has had just one shot, protecting him against meningitis.

“When I began to read about vaccines and how they work,” she said, “I saw medical studies, not given to use by the mainstream media, connecting them with neurological disorders, asthma and immunology.”

Ms. Carlson said she understood what was at stake. “I cannot deny that my child can put someone else at risk,” she said.

In 1991, less than 1 percent of children in the states with personal-belief exemptions went without vaccines based on the exemption; by 2004, the most recent year for which data are available, the percentage had increased to 2.54 percent, said Saad B. Omer, an assistant scientist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

While nationwide over 90 percent of children old enough to receive vaccines get them, the number of exemptions worries many health officials and experts. They say that vaccines have saved countless lives, and that personal-belief exemptions are potentially dangerous and bad public policy because they are not based on sound science.

“If you have clusters of exemptions, you increase the risk of exposing everyone in the community,” said Dr. Omer, who has extensively studied disease outbreaks and vaccines.

It is the absence, or close to it, of some illnesses in the United States that keep some parents from opting for the shots. Worldwide, 242,000 children a year die from measles, but it used to be near one million. The deaths have dropped because of vaccination, a 68 percent decrease from 2000 to 2006.

“The very success of immunizations has turned out to be an Achilles’ heel,” said Dr. Mark Sawyer, a pediatrician and infectious disease specialist at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. “Most of these parents have never seen measles, and don’t realize it could be a bad disease so they turn their concerns to unfounded risks. They do not perceive risk of the disease but perceive risk of the vaccine.”

Dr. Sawyer and the vast majority of pediatricians believe strongly that vaccinations are the cornerstone of sound public health. Many doctors view the so-called exempters as parasites, of a sort, benefiting from the otherwise inoculated majority.

Most children get immunized to measles from a combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, a live virus.

While the picture of an unvaccinated child was once that of the offspring of poor and uneducated parents, “exempters” are often well educated and financially stable, and hold a host of like-minded child-rearing beliefs.

Vaccine skeptics provide differing explanations for their belief that vaccines may cause various illnesses and disorders, including autism.

Recent news that a federal vaccine court agreed to pay the family of an autistic child in Georgia who had an underlying mitochondrial disorder has led some skeptics to speculate that vaccines may worsen such conditions. Again, researchers say there is no evidence to support this thesis.

Alexandra Stewart, director of the Epidemiology of U.S. Immunization Law project at George Washington University, said many of these parents are influenced by misinformation obtained from Web sites that oppose vaccination.

“The autism debate has convinced these parents to refuse vaccines to the detriment of their own children as well as the community,” Ms. Stewart said.

While many parents meet deep resistance and even hostility from pediatricians when they choose to delay, space or reject vaccines, they are often able to find doctors who support their choice.

“I do think vaccines help with the public health and helping prevent the occasional fatality,” said Dr. Bob Sears, the son of the well-known child-care author by the same name, who practices pediatrics in San Clemente. Roughly 20 percent of his patients do not vaccinate, Dr. Sears said, and another 20 percent partially vaccinate.

“I don’t think it is such a critical public health issue that we should force parents into it,” Dr. Sears said. “I don’t lecture the parents or try to change their mind; if they flat out tell me they understand the risks I feel that I should be very respectful of their decision.”

Some parents of unvaccinated children go to great lengths to expose their children to childhood diseases to help them build natural immunities.

In the wake of last month’s outbreak, Linda Palmer considered sending her son to a measles party to contract the virus. Several years ago, the boy, now 12, contracted chicken pox when Ms. Palmer had him attend a gathering of children with that virus.

“It is a very common thing in the natural-health oriented world,” Ms. Palmer said of the parties.

She ultimately decided against the measles party for fear of having her son ostracized if he became ill.

In the late 1960s and 1970s, measles outbreaks in Alaska and California triggered strong enforcement of vaccine mandates by states, and exemption laws followed.

While the laws vary from state to state, most allow children to attend school if their parents agree to keep them home during any outbreak of illnesses prevented by vaccines. The easier it is to get an exemption — some states require barely any paperwork — the more people opt for them, according to Dr. Omer’s research, supported by other vaccine experts.

There are differences within states, too. There tend to be geographic clusters of “exempters” in certain counties or even neighborhoods or schools. According to a 2006 article in The Journal of The American Medical Association, exemption rates of 15 percent to 18 percent have been found in Ashland, Ore., and Vashon, Wash. In California, where the statewide rate is about 1.5 percent, some counties were as high as 10 percent to 19 percent of kindergartners.

In the San Diego measles outbreak, four of the cases, including the first one, came from a single charter school, and 17 children stayed home during the outbreak to avoid contracting the illness.

There is substantial evidence that communities with pools of unvaccinated clusters risk infecting a broad community that includes people who have been inoculated.

For instance, in a 2006 mumps outbreak in Iowa that infected 219 people, the majority of those sickened had been vaccinated. In a 2005 measles outbreak in Indiana, there were 34 cases, including six people who had been vaccinated.

Here in California, six pertussis outbreaks infected 24 people in 2007; only 2 of 24 were documented as having been appropriately immunized.

A surveillance program in the mid ’90s in Canada of infants and preschoolers found that cases of Hib fell to between 8 and 10 cases a year from 550 a year after a vaccine program was begun, and roughly half of those cases were among children whose vaccine failed.

Halle Berry Has a Baby Girl

2008-03-18T20:49:00.000-04:00

16-Mar-2008
Written by: Louise Robina Happe

Berry gives birth to a girl.

Halle Berry gave birth to a baby girl on Sunday.

Berry and boyfriend, Gabriel Aubry, announced their pregnancy last September when she was three months pregnant; the couple have been together since November 2005.

In an interview with Parade magazine, Berry happily exclaimed, “I’ve accomplished things I never thought I would. Now my sights are set on a different chapter in my life, which is motherhood. That’s the goal I have very clearly set for myself.”

According to People, Aubry has been reading up on fatherhood in baby manuals and parenting books – obviously excited on becoming a new Dad.

Berry, equally excited, recently gushed in Hello magazine, “I have someone who is putting a spark in my eye. I have never been in better physical and emotional shape, and I’m happy in my personal life – what a novel idea!”

After a “fantastic” pregnancy, as the actress put it, Berry’s rep confirmed that the new parents are “doing great!”

Is Baby Einstein Good for Kids?

2008-03-16T19:36:00.002-04:00

By Shelley Page - The Ottawa Citizen

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Shelley Page on how modern parents plunked our youngsters in front of the DVD player, believing the videos were as indispensible as diapers and bottles. How could we have been so gullible?

If little Albert Einstein were in the school system today, what would be his fate? The future Nobel Prize-winner in physics didn't speak until he was three and struggled throughout school, especially in math.

He might have been labelled learning-disabled, spoonfed Ritalin and shuffled off to a special-needs class, written off as a lost cause. At least that's the prediction of child psychiatrist Dr. Alvin Rosenfeld, co-author of Hyper-Parenting: Are you Hurting Your Child By Trying Too Hard? He suspects that in the modern world where parents expect their pre-schoolers to be prodigies, Einstein's slowness would have marginalized him.

Who knows if such labels would have hampered his special theory of relativity, published in 1905 at the positively geriatric age of 26?

Dr. Rosenfeld, then, finds it ironic that the No. 1 educational program for infants is named after the late-blooming physicist.

As anyone whose had a baby in the last decade knows, the Baby Einstein program, which makes DVDs for babies and toddlers aged three months to three years, promises to brighten our babies and sharpen their speech with multi-coloured musical feasts for the eyes and ears.

Many of us bought the hype that our babies' growing brains would soak up the stimulation of these video products and prime them for future brilliance. While we were washing dishes, taking showers, checking e-mail, our budding baby Einsteins were glued to a video, as indispensible as diapers and bottles. Surely Harvard and Yale would soon come calling. Or at least elementary school teachers sniffing out giftedness.

At one point, it was estimated one in three American children had watched a Baby Einstein video, or one of the competing products, such as So Smart and Brainy Baby and Baby Prodigy.

How could we have been so gullible?

Just last week, Baby Einstein stopped billing its videos as educational, following a formal complaint from a U.S. advocacy group that the Disney-owned company was making "false and deceptive" claims that it can give babies a leg up in learning.

The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood claimed victory after Baby Einstein quietly changed its website to remove assertions that its videos help develop cognitive skills in the very young.

The company removed promotional claims such as the one saying the Baby Wordsworth DVD "fosters the development of your toddler's speech and language skills" and Numbers Nursery will "help develop your baby's understanding of what numbers mean."

The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood filed a complaint almost two years ago with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. The commission ruled in December that it would not take any enforcement action against Baby Einstein, under consumer protection laws, in light of changes the company had made to descriptions of its DVDs and a promise that it would "take appropriate steps to ensure that any future claims of educational and/or developmental benefit for children was adequately substantiated."

If any one of us had bothered to investigate what was clearly too good to be true, we might have bypassed the videos in favour of some one-on-one time with Junior. But ease and convenience are the mantra of the modern parent.

Baby education was launched by a 1993 study that purported to have found the "Mozart Effect." Researchers Gordon Shaw and Frances Rauscher at the University of California at Irvine had groups of college students listen to 10 minutes of a Mozart sonata, a relaxation tape, or silence, and then take a paper-folding-and-cutting test.

Those who listened to Mozart performed better than those who had not. The researchers concluded that listening to Mozart improved the students' short-term spatial thinking. This one study led well-meaning social engineers to apply the Mozart Effect to infants.

Soon mothers were playing Mozart to their pregnant bellies, and politicians were legislating classical music.

In 1998, Georgia Governor Zell Miller signed a bill to send to every home with a newborn in his state a Mozart CD to enhance the baby's mathematical ability. Gov. Don Sundquist of Tennessee made sure Tennessee newborns were receiving CDs, while the State of Florida ordered all state-funded childcare centres to play classical music. Baby Einstein and other baby education companies were quickly launched at the exact time that parents seemed to be determined to try anything to brighten their baby.

Only one problem: the Mozart Effect couldn't be duplicated.

Several dozen unsuccessful attempts have been made to replicate the findings in scientific settings. And in a 1999 television debate, researcher Rauscher -- who has said she stands by her work -- stated, "There's no scientific data suggesting that playing Mozart to babies is going to make them 'smarter.'"

In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children younger than two should watch no TV at all, no matter how educational the content claims to be. And one recent study found such products might actually delay language development in toddlers.

Researchers at the University of Washington found that with every hour in a day spent watching baby DVDs and videos, infants learned six to eight fewer new words than babies who never watched the videos, with the strongest detrimental effect on babies eight to 16 months old. The results of this study have been strongly disputed by Disney. Its CEO complained about the methodology used to study the videos' effects on children, pointing out that only telephone surveys were used instead of actually observing the "interactive nature" of such products.

While I'm sure some parents sit beside Junior "interacting with them" while these so-called brain boosters are broadcast, I never did. I ran away and hid, usually with a phone stuck to my ear, desperate for adult conversation.

If I could convince myself that my kids were growing neurons while I talked on the phone, all the better. Although -- and this isn't just in hindsight -- I doubted the videos had much impact. My second child fell asleep the few times she watched them.

What I find curious is how so many of us fear that if our children aren't labelled "gifted," or possess some unique talent, by the time they're out of diapers, we've failed as parents. What's the hurry? I have to ask myself that question all the time. I never picked up a basketball until I was in Grade 9, and made my university team -- yet today, if I suspected one of my daughters was interested in the sport, I'd probably sign them up as soon as possible, who cares if they're five and nine? They'd probably hate the sport in no time.

Still, parents get sucked in by stories of midget math prodigies or the tennis success of the Williams sisters.

I have it on good authority at least one kid I know hates the pressure.

The other day I was snuggling with my five-year-old, and she said something characteristically funny about boobs and bowling balls. I told her that she cracked me up. Her response?

"Don't sign me up. Don't sign me up! I just want to be a jokester around home."

No kidding. She must have smelled clown camp in the near future.

Finally - A Pregnancy and Parenting Site for Expectant Fathers, New Dads and Single Parents

2008-03-14T15:19:00.000-04:00

A new generation of dads wants to learn how to raise their babies, and they're using Web 2.0 to do it. These "Alterna-dads"- guys who still have messy hair and sport concert tees- want to get involved in the baby-raising game. These men are surpassing all previous cohorts of fathers and are actively seeking out pregnancy and parenting resources that can help them become the ultimate player in fatherhood. They're posting on YouTube, reading blogs, and scouring MySpace for tips on their 40-week long pregnancy journey.

For a generation of men that is equally sensitive and Internet addicted, it makes sense that Web 2.0 would replace Dr. Spock for pregnancy and parenting advice. The new tech boom coincides with a legion of soon-to-be father getting more involved in raising their babies. The reality is that it's now a world in which men talk about "their" pregnancy and consider themselves as active participants in the pregnancy process.

It is precisely this shift in fatherhood reality that inspired Nada Arnot to create TheFunkyStork.com in 2005.

"My husband wanted to do research when I was pregnant, but didn't find much that spoke to the GQ generation of men who were going to be dads," Nada Arnot says.

A recent re-design of TheFunkyStork.com has drawn tons of attention from "Alterna-dads" and "Alterna-moms," for that matter. TheFunkyStork.com has been expanded to also speak to the men who are now new fathers. Both expectant fathers and new dads can find a wealth of printable guy-friendly checklists, view YouTube videos and read a blog that is written by an LA-based father. Tech-savvy dads can also keep track of health issues, fashion trends, celebrity baby news and US government recalls by subscribing to an RSS Feed.

"Our dads still love the traditional articles we have for new and expectant fathers," Arnot notes, "but they are also gear-heads and are looking for additional online tools to learn about their impending fatherhood. TheFunkyStork.com offers them everything that they want and need to be active in pregnancy and parenthood."

About TheFunkyStork.com

TheFunkyStork.com is a pregnancy and parenting site for the modern expectant fathers, hip new dads and sexy single parents. Launched in October 2005 by the Urban Lion Corporation, the recently released build of the site features a blog, RSS feeds on important baby news, YouTube clips, articles for expectant dads and a "toolbox" for new fathers with helpful tips and information.

For More Information Contact: Nada Arnot at thefunkystork@yahoo.com.

Thefunkystork.com is a premium online pregnancy and parenting resource for the modern expectant father, hip new dad and sexy single parent.

Jennifer Lopez’s hubby has a new nickname - 'Burp Whisperer'!

2008-03-14T15:11:00.001-04:00

Washington, Mar 14: New dad Marc Anthony is so smitten with new born twins that his wife Jennifer Lopez and her staff have nicknamed him the 'Burp Whisperer'.

Anthony is so hands-on with newborn Max and Emme that he has been volunteering to change their nappies and tend to the tots day and night.

"I'm so excited. I'm so hands-on with them that the household developed a nickname for me. They call me the Burp Whisperer," Contactmusic quoted Anthony, as saying.

Anthony, meanwhile, praises his superstar wife, claiming having twins was inevitable - because everything she touches turns to gold.

He added: "I told Jennifer, nothing you do is small. Everything you do it on such large scale. The first time you give birth, you give birth to twins." (ANI)

Toddler Development and Milestones

2008-03-13T10:46:00.001-04:00

Overview

During the toddler years, your child will make huge strides physically, intellectually, and emotionally, whether it's learning how to make friends or potty training. Here's a look at what's to come.

Physical milestones

Throwing and kicking a ball (12 months)
Soon after her first birthday, your child will show interest in ball play -- first by throwing, then by kicking at age 2 (catching comes around age 3 to 4). To help her along:

For throwing, start by rolling a small soft ball back and forth between you, moving farther and farther apart with each pass. Soon, she'll want to throw it.
For kicking, show her how to use her feet instead of hands to roll a ball back and forth between the two of you.
For catching, have her roll it up a small incline to catch on the way down.

Pushing and pulling (12 to 18 months)
Once your child's a confident walker, he'll discover the joy of dragging or pushing toys along. And all the while he'll improve his coordination, since he'll be walking forward while occasionally looking back.

So offer him some pull or push toys to play with, or make your own by attaching a string to a toy car (make sure to supervise or limit the length of the cord to 12 inches to avoid a strangulation hazard).

Squatting (12 to 18 months)
Up to now, your baby has had to bend down to pick things up off the ground. But soon, she'll attempt to squat instead. To help her along:

When she starts to stoop over for an object, show her how to bend her knees to squat.
Let her practice. Line up a few small toys on the floor and have a "treasure hunt," where she has to go from one item to the next and pick them up - a perfect activity for cleanup time!

Climbing (12 to 24 months)
Toddlers climb up on the kitchen table (or your desk or the bed) for the obvious reason: Because it's there. Kids this age are trying to find a balance between risk and challenge. Of course, you know that the challenge of climbing up the bookcase isn't worth the risk, but the average toddler's ability to reason isn't in line with his physical prowess. Climbing is an important physical milestone, though. It'll help your child develop the coordination he needs to master skills like walking up steps. Ways you can help:

Provide safe opportunities for climbing. Toss sofa cushions or pillows on a carpeted floor, or let him loose at a toddler-friendly playground.
Anchor bookcases and other pieces of furniture to the wall, even if you think they're too heavy to topple. Clear shelves of things that could fall on him - or that could tempt him to climb.
Limit access. Keep chair seats pushed under the table, and take a closer look at the stove: Could your child get to it by climbing up shelves or cabinets?
Set up gates at the top and bottom of the stairs. It's the only way to keep your child from attempting that irresistible - but dangerous - ascent. To help your child learn to climb the stairs safely, practice together by taking him up and down while holding his hand.

Running (18 to 24 months)
Some kids seems to go from crawling to sprinting in two seconds flat. Others take more time. How come? Because kids fall a lot when learning to run, and some are just more willing to risk it. To encourage your child:

Play tag where falling won't hurt too much, such as on a grassy lawn or a sandy beach.
Chase your child - this is one time you can actually encourage him to run away from you! - and then switch and have him run after you.
Try racing, especially if older kids are willing to play along.

Potty training (24 to 36 months)
Potty training is one of the milestones parents look forward to the most - no more diapers! But keep in mind that the age when kids are ready for it varies widely. Signs that it may be time:

Your child peers down at her diapers, grabs them, or tries to pull them off when they're soiled; or she squats or crosses her legs when she needs to go. These actions show that she's mature enough to understand how her body works.
She shows an interest in things that are potty-related - wanting to watch you go to the bathroom or talking about pee-pee or poo-poo.

If these apply to your child, and she can get on and off the toilet and pull her pants down, then give toilet training a shot. Help her associate the about-to-go sensation with using the potty. As soon as you notice the usual signs, give a quick prompt like "Let's use the potty" as you guide her toward it. For more tips and strategies, check out our Potty Training guide.

Jumping (24 to 36 months)
Between 2 and 3 years, toddlers learn how to jump off low structures, and eventually how to jump from a standing position. Both of these skills require bilateral coordination, or the ability to use both sides of your body to do something different. How you can help:

Go curb hopping. Holding your child's hand, stand next to her on a curb or a low step and say, "One, two, three, jump!" then jump down simultaneously.

Practice leapfrogging as a prelude to jumping from a standing position, which is more difficult than hopping off a step. Show your child how to get down into a half-squat position and throw her arms up while she hops. Gradually she'll figure out how to jump from a standstill.

Psychological and emotional milestones

Prereading (12 to 36 months)
Most toddlers love storytime. It's a chance to snuggle with Mom or Dad, gaze at colorful pictures, and hear interesting sounds. But it's more than just a cozy activity - your child is also learning the earliest of reading skills, including:

How books work - we open them, the story is inside.
We read from left to right.
Books can tell a story.
Stories have a beginning and an end.

To encourage your child's love of reading, try to:

Read aloud.
Let your baby play with his books so he gets familiar with them.
Keep it brief. Little people have little attention spans, and ten minutes - even five minutes - is a long time.
Ask questions. Have him find simple things, like the baby's eyes or the pretty flower. Your goal is to bring what's happening on the page into an interaction between the two of you.
Follow your child's lead. If your tot grabs the book from you to explore it on his own, let him - just hold him on your lap and cuddle with him as he looks.

Gaining independence (18 to 36 months)
Most babies don't see themselves as entities separate from their parents, especially their mothers. This changes quickly sometime in the second year, when they become aware that they're individuals, and are more insistent on doing things on their own. Here's how to give your child room to grow:

Allow more time in your schedule for her to do things herself. If she wants to put on her own coat, shoes, etc., getting out of the house will take that much longer.

Include her in your chores. Let her hold the dustpan, or send her around with a rag to dust furniture legs.

Be patient. At first, letting your child use a fork or pull on his pants will drive you crazy. But let her try and don't step in.

Your toddler's growing independence comes with a stage that can, at times, be exasperating: She'll assert her independence by saying "no" all the time. Your impulse may be to show your child who's boss, but you'll have better luck if you:

Say yes to your little naysayer whenever you can - in other words, when it isn't unsafe, inconvenient, or unreasonable.

Be firm when necessary. When you have to get your way, do it as quickly, deliberately, and calmly as you can. Once you've physically put your toddler in her car seat, you can explain your reasoning in simple terms - you can tell her that it's dangerous to ride in a car without one.

Using simple sentences (18 to 24 months)
Ever since your child said his first coo, he's been working toward this moment: By combining gestures, isolated sounds, and words, he can now speak in simple two-word sentences. You're thrilled, and he's thrilled: Now you can have a conversation (of sorts)! Be patient, though - even though he knows certain words, he may not fully understand their meaning for a while. To encourage his talking:

Don't finish your toddler's sentences for him; doing so will only add to his frustration.
Remember that he'll still resort to crying when he's too tired, hungry, cranky, or overwhelmed to use words.
Give your child lots of opportunities to speak, especially if there are older kids in the house, too.
As your toddler becomes more verbal, make sure you model good speech rather than correct his pronunciation or his grammar. Children who are interrupted and corrected can feel like giving up.

Learning empathy (24 months)
At this age, toddlers may begin to make the first connections between their own feelings and behavior and those of other people. This is the foundation for interacting with others and building friendships. To help your child's developing empathy:

Don't try to fix it when he feels bad. Help your child learn to cope by identifying his emotions for him - whether he's sad because his favorite toy broke or someone else is crying - and reassure him that it's okay to feel the way he does.

Watch your own emotions. Don't be shy about telling your child when you're angry, sad, or disappointed - but make sure that you're not overreacting to the situation, which can make your child feel anxious or scared.

When she seems to be regressing

It can be disconcerting when a toddler appears to be regressing in some way. For instance, your chatterbox may suddenly do nothing but point and cry; your avid walker may reach up and demand to be carried. All of this is normal. Toddlers are developing so many skills they can become overwhelmed. What to do when your tot regresses:

Acknowledge her feelings. If she can't tell you what's bugging her, see if she can show you.
Rather than seeing it as good or bad, see it as a signal. When a child regresses, she's usually telling you that she needs comfort. Let her snuggle up with you, or read her a book. She'll likely behave like her normal self soon.

You might worry if your child is delayed in reaching a milestone. But some kids are simply late bloomers; some just master certain skills before others. However, if you're concerned, speak to your doctor.

Summary

A toddler is constantly learning how to do new things. Give yours loving support, and as often as possible provide a little freedom for him to strive for independence. And don't worry if he occasionally "unlearns" a skill - a little regression is just part of the process in the toddler years.

Britney Spears Give Birth to a Baby Boy

2006-09-15T20:36:00.000-04:00

What's up with this? I thought that Brit was having a girl and that she thought that she was "so blessed" for having a son and a daughter? Were we duped? Did she know that she was having a boy all along? So many questions and no real answers. For all I know, she could've just given birth to the first full-sized man! According to Celebrity Baby (who claims that they have confirmed info from the reliable Access Hollwood: "The baby boy was born just before 2 am on Tuesday, September 12th, just as the National Enquirer reported. Baby is reportedly 19 inches long and weighed in at 6 lbs, 11 oz (same as big brother Sean Preston, 11 months, did at birth)! Kevin text messaged friends early this morning with, "Break out the cigars! We got a baby boy in the house!"

It's all so confusing...and yet incredibly interesting. I love hollywood gossip.

18-Miler Tomorrow

2006-09-15T19:55:00.001-04:00

I can't believe that the day has come for us to finally run 18 miles! Absolutely crazy. I am a little nervous since my leg has been bothering me for over a week now and I am not sure if it will hold up for the whole 18 miles. I am not even clear on what is causing the pain. Sometimes it's in my hip and sometimes it's my hamstring and then sometimes it's my knee. What's up with that?! Anyway, I am going to stretch a lot tonight and will be going to bed early to rest up.

To be honest, the most stressful part of marathon training is the fundraising part. For those of you who don't know, my place in the NYC marathon is guaranteed only by the fact that I have promised to raise $2500 for charity. I have chosen to raise money for Team for Kids to help fight childhood obesity - a great cause, indeed! In any event, fundraising is not an easy task.

If you feel inclined to help out, please click on the link https://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/htmlos.cgi/5531.1.082834958674165202 and type in my last name (Arnot) and my registration number (3395).

You can also purchase a shirt from www.cafepress.com/runnerchick. Proceeds from shirt sales also go to Team for Kids. Every little bit help! And don't forget...it's all tax deductible!!!

More Baby Chic from Girl Charlee

2006-09-03T18:03:00.000-04:00

If you follow fashion, then you probably know that retro is always in. Magazines like GQ, Esquire, Elle and Vanity Fair always feature a nice spread of beautiful models sporting vintage designs from some past decade. Whether it be the roaring 30s or the sexy 70s, these retro style outfits are strangely familiar and definitely in vogue.

Thanks to Girl Charlee, your tot can also partake in the retro revolution. This chic online boutique features one-of-a-kind children's apparel made from real vintage fabrics which are sure to match the uniqueness of your child. The clothing designs are also retro. Not only is the fabric vintage, but so is the design. Each outfit is designed to reflect the era from which the vintage fabric came from. Very cool.

The vintage dresses and bottoms are incredibly adorable for baby and toddler girls. As a mother of a 15-month old boy, I must say that I have fallen in love with the baby lounge set in the umbrella print. And if you want to talk about eye candy, then must check out the baby undies, which are a fashionable way to cover up your tot's frumpy and lumpy diaper. Sweet and delectable for both boys and girls.

Girl Charlee also features an assortment of hip gifts for moms and dads. Hey, if you are into urban chic, then have to outfit the entire family - not just the baby! Check out more retro styles at www.girlcharlee.com.

Little Showoffs - Bringing the Art of Showing Off to Another Level!

2006-09-02T18:28:00.000-04:00

Isn't it funny how quickly our babies learn to showoff? My son could barely hold up his head when he started seeking attention for the small "talents" he was quickly acquiring - smiling, cooing and sticking out his tongue were among the first talents he mastered! Now that he is walking and able to say things like "quack quack" and blow kisses to complete strangers, he has brought the art of showing off to entirely different level. But really, I can't blame him... after all, my husband and I are equally (if not more) guilty of participating in our own share of parental bragging.

So, it is not surprising that, as a mother of a 15-month old showoff, I fell in love with the super soft 100% tees designed by Little Showoffs. This online boutique offers up a full range of fun and expressive baby and adult tees and infant onesies in a variety of vibrant colors, fabulous styles and attention-grabbing prints.

Make sure to check out all the fun garb - including baby caps, mommy and daddy tees, doggie tees and sibling shirts! As a New Yorker, I must say that I am partial to the city slickers line. The city slickers baby and toddler shirts are super cute for cosmopolitan kids, especially when paired with the karate pants. I also love the daddy tee and daddy's little girl tee... scrumptious!!!

Truth be told, I am not the only one who is raving about Little Showoffs... and I don't mean to name drop, but you should know that many celebs and their celeb offspring have been spotted wearing the Little Showoffs line. Gwyneth Paltrow, Debra Messing, Courtney Cox and Jennifer Garner are among the A-listers who have outfitted their kids in these fun and lively boutique tees.

Check out the entire line at www.LITTLESHOWOFFS.com

Half Marathon - A Success!

2006-08-31T20:35:00.000-04:00

Well, last Saturday marked the inaugural NYC Half-Marathon, sponsored by Nike...and I ran it in 2 hours 16 minutes. Some may say that the time isn't great, but I am still very proud of myself. I finished the race with grace and plenty of energy to spare. In fact, I felt (for the first time) like I could actually run 26.2 miles! I didn't crash or hit the wall, and I wasn't the least bit sore the next day. It seems that our training program is working well - now the next test is this weekend's long run of 16 miles. Yep, that's the longest ever! The scary part is that I am going to be out of town and I have to run the long run alone (i.e., sans husband). Needless to say, I have packed my ipod full of entertaining and booty-moving tunes. Let's hope that I can run the 16 miles with as much ease as I ran the 13.1 miles!

Before I sign off... I want to remind everyone that I am running the NYC Marathon for Charity and I am looking for donations. All proceeds go to Team for Kids to help provide physical activity programs for children and help reverse the increasing rate of childhood obesity. To donate, go to https://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/start.cgi/mar-programs/nyrrf/team/donations.htm
and type in my last name - ARNOT - and my registration number - 3395. And yes, all donations are tax deductible!

You can also help support the cause by purchasing one of my sexy running shirts at www.cafepress.com/runnerchick - Proceeds from each purchase goes to Team for Kids

Still Running and Still Fundraising!

2006-08-22T19:34:00.000-04:00

So, we had our longest run ever last weekend - 15 miles! I am not going to lie and try to convince you that it was easy and enjoyable. In fact, it was the hardest run I have ever done. I was already feeling tired and unmotivated right at the start and everything went downhill from there. The good news is that I hung in there and I was not even sore the next day. We have a half-marathon this coming weekend (the Nike NYC Half Marathon) and I am actually looking forward to it. I figure that I have somehow gotten stronger - mentally - from last weekend's run. This marathon thing really is a rollercoaster ride both mentally and physically. I will be so proud of myself once I cross that finish line on November 5th!

In addition to my running program, I am also fundraising for Team for Kids, an organization that endeavors to beat childhood obesity. I have committed myself to raise $2500 and need your help. You can make a direct contribution by going to the Team for Kids website and typing in my registration number: 3395.

I am also selling funky running gear through Cafe Press. All profits are being donated to Team for Kids. Check out the line at www.cafepress.com/runnerchick and buy what you like - it's all going to a good cause!

Mangos - A Sweet Fruit and A Cool Invite

2006-08-21T20:24:00.000-04:00

The story is sweet and the product is sweeter. Mango Ink, an online trend-setting stationary boutique, really did begin with a love for mangoes, entertaining and invitations. And just as the Mango Ink story is about life - beginning with a boy who falls in love mangos and ends with a man who falls in love with a woman who loves entertaining just as much as he does - Mango Ink products are also about life. Regardless of your stage in life, Mango Ink has a stationary to suit you. Whether you are hosting a grown-up party, planning a wedding, announcing the birth of a child or just happy that it's Summer, you'll be sure to find what you are looking for at www.mangoink.com.

You can choose from a cool line of Mango Seeds, which allows you to personalize your stationary by sending in a photo and your own words (as the Mango Ink motto goes: "Your words, your photos, your personality, we just add the mango juice to sweeten it up.") or you can select an exclusive design from the line of Mango Notes. All notes are printed on Fuji Crystal Archive Paper and professionally hand-mounted on white, high-quality 5.5" x 4.5" note cards.

Either way, you can't go wrong! All the stationary is so hip and incredibly memorable... What a great way to celebrate every stage of your family's life.

A Do-Run-Run A Do-Run-Run

2006-08-02T19:59:00.000-04:00

So, we are on week 8 of marathon training and now the fun really begins! This Saturday is our first really long run - 13 miles! This will be the longest distance that I have ever run and I may be crazy, but I am actually looking forward to the grueling grind around Central Park in the scorching NYC heat. I guess I'll have to bring lots of GU (which I, oddly enough, love and crave...especially the vanilla flavor) and drinks lots of fluids (which, for some reason, I hate doing). At least I won't be alone in my 13 mile journey this Saturday. My husband, who is also training for the marathon, will be running with me. I must say that I love the time we spend training together, and I really love the shorter runs when we can bring our son in our running stroller. On most days, our son is in good spirits and we all enjoy the run. On the days that "in a mood," running isn't as much fun.

Anyway, there's not much else to report. My husband and I are (knock on wood) in good spirits and good health, and are super excited about this weekend's run.

Couture for Little Girls

2006-07-25T19:56:00.000-04:00

You know your little girl is a princess and you also know that she shouldn't have to settle for anything less than fabulous. So, why should she have anything other than a couture-inspired wardrobe? That's right - move over Baby Gap and make room for hottest thing to hit the world of baby girl clothing - Loopy! This line of clothing is not only fun to say, but it's super cute, too.

Some of my favorites come from the Loopy City collection with its flavor of "ballerina." Stylish and sassy, this collection is perfect for weddings and special events.

As if cuteness wasn't enough, these little girl garments are incredibly well made - by hand, no less! In fact the story is quite quaint. The entire collection is hand made by individual seamstresses and knitter throughout Britain. The creator of the collection, Nancy Krzyzanowski , brings comes from a solid fashion background. In her former life, she worked with luxury brands such as, Chanel, Celine, Cartier and C. Jourdan. That said, it's not surprising that she decided to design a line of 'couture for little girls.' Check out more Loopy at www.loopydesign.com where you can buy online or find "brick and mortar" stores where you can find the Loopy line.

Running the Marathon and Need Your Support

2006-07-22T12:39:00.000-04:00

The time has come for me to become a true New Yorker - I have decided to run in this year's NYC marathon. As much fun as it is to watch the marathon whirl by from the sidelines, I think that it would be even "funner" to run the 26.2 mile journey through the greatest and grandest city in the world!

Not only will I be running the marathon as a personal challenge, which I will be writing about on this blog throughout my training, but I will be running it for a worthy cause - to fight childhood obesity. I have always been concerned about this growing epidemic (after all, children are our future and it is our responsibility to ensure that we teach them how to live happy and healthy lives) and have become increasingly passionate about it since becoming a mother myself last year.

That said, I will be running to raise funds for the Team for Kids, which is the youth-services arm of New York Road Runners that provides fitness programs for 15,000 children in New York and across the country who have little or no access to physical education.

While my personal success in the marathon depends on my training and determination, my commitment to raise $2500 for the New York Road Runners Foundation depends on others, which is why I'm asking you to support my efforts with a donation. Your tax-deductible contribution will help pay for the supplies, uniforms, events, and transportation that make the programs happen and truly give youth a running start. I encourage you to consider a minimum gift of $1 per mile (or $26.20), though no donation is too small (or too large!) and all are appreciated.

Please take a moment to go to www.teamforkids.org and click on "Contribute," where you will need my entry number: 3395. The NYRR Foundation will inform me of all contributions, so I can send you a well-deserved thank you after the marathon.

At the end of 26.2 miles, I will be exhausted, but also grateful for and exhilarated by the support that I've received through your generosity.

All the best and thanks for your support! By the way, keep coming back to my blog to keep track of my training progress.

Cheers,
Nada

A Sneak Peek At A Brand New Clothing Line For boys

2006-06-06T12:02:00.000-04:00

Boys get the bad end of the stick in fashion most of the time and the designers behind this brand new label - Colin Maguire - have combined both comfort, style and a good cause.

The designs found on Colin Maguire tees were created by kids residing at The Children’s Inn at NIH (www.childrensinn.org). The National Institutes of Health provides the latest treatment options for seriously ill children. The Inn at NIH offers a place like home for these brave children and their families. Colin Maguire’s partnership with The Inn at NIH supports the Inn financially, but it also helps to share the spirit of these special children and their loved ones with children across the country.

The shirts are 100% super-soft cotton with contrast stitching and distressed hemlines. They are currently available in sizes 18-24 mos, 2T, 3T, 4T and 5T. Long-sleeve “layered” tees are available for fall and many short-sleeve styles are on the way. New artwork is submitted regularly allowing for the launch of a new tee shirt every month! All come with unique “About the Artist” hangtags.

10% of the profits from the sale of every tee is given to The Children's Inn at NIH

Giddy Giddy

2006-06-01T14:26:00.000-04:00

I tried to come up with a creative title for this blog entry, but I couldn’t seem to find anything that described these designer hair clips better than the company’s own name – Giddy Giddy. These super-sweet, handcrafted clips are the creation of self-proclaimed “craftaholic” mom, Teri Dimalanta. Needing both a creative outlet and a practical way to tame her baby girl’s unwieldy mohawk, Teri began designing her own hair clips. And thanks to entrepreneurial spirit, she created Giddy Giddy – a line of cute and quirky clips for little girls. From flowers to gumdrops to pink popsicles, these clips are the epitome of eye candy.

Check out the entire collection at www.chloeinstyle.com.

Bling Baby Bling

2006-05-31T15:39:00.000-04:00

It’s true - your kid can never be too young to appreciate the value of bling. While the other babies are crawling around in powder blue or pink onesies that are covered in mystery stains, your baby could be sporting the latest in high-end baby fashion – 100% cotton onesies complete with Genuine Swarovski Crystals by Mama & Bambino. The "Red Sox Fan" onesie is super cute and the “I Love Daddy” onesie makes a great Father’s Day gift.

And if you are in the market for some bling for yourself, then you should check out Mama & Bambino’s “Mommy Tank.” Available in black, light blue or hot fuschia pink, these tanks are fully embellished with Genuine Swarovski Crystals. A-listers like Katie Holmes, Angela Basset and Gwyneth Paltrow are all owners of the sexy, bling-inspired tanks.

While you’re at it, make sure to take a look at the “Bambino’s Who Lunch” dining set. Rather than rummaging around the diaper bag for a fork or spoon (which is probably crusted with yesterday’s lunch or some old teething biscuit crumbs), the “Who Lunch” set has everything you need to feed your baby. This is where fashion meets function. Upon opening this pack, you will find a place for a fork and spoon on one side, and a pocket on the other that holds a disposable bib, placemat and hand wipes (all included!)

For more bling baby paraphernalia, visit www.mamaandbambino.com.

Yoga Baby

2006-05-31T13:51:00.000-04:00

I am big into yoga – it was my saving grace both during and after pregnancy. I am convinced that my labor wouldn’t have been as bearable as it was if I had not practiced yoga throughout my pregnancy. And it was yoga that helped me get back into shape…post-baby.

While I am by no means a yogi, I am quite familiar with most of the poses – downward facing dog, pigeon pose, goddess pose and, of course, child’s pose. While going through the sun salutations the other day, I suddenly realized that all the poses that we were doing in class are “poses” that my 12-month old baby does at home. That’s when I came to the conclusion that yoga is innate – we are born to salute the sun. But seriously, if we began practicing yoga as children and carried on with our practice throughout our lives, I truly believe that we would live happier and healthier lives.

That said, I am a huge advocate of baby-and-me yoga classes! What a great way to bond with you tot while also helping your baby tap into the yogi within him or her. And why not do it in style? Thanks to Lotus Children, you can outfit you offspring in the coolest yoga wear around. The “omesie,” “baby om pant” and “yoga t-suit” are all must-haves for your tot’s yoga wardrobe. And when your baby has outgrown the baby om pant, he/she can graduate to Lotus Children’s great toddler line of yoga attire.

Namaste.

Father's Day - Coming June 18th

2006-05-26T13:53:00.000-04:00

Whether he's a dad or a dad-to-be, he deserves a present for Father's Day...which is coming really soon! June 18th is just around the corner, so don't wait until the last minute to start thinking about what to get the dad in your household.

Check out the line of Funky Stork products at The Funky Stork Shop - You'll find Father's Day tees, hats and mugs as well as some fun stuff for you and your tot. Make sure to check out our most popular Father's Day items - our "Great Dad" line and our "Cute Baby - Cute Dad" products. They are perfect for new and expectant fathers!

Cool Gear For Babes

2006-05-16T12:09:00.000-04:00

Whether you are shopping for a hot babe (aka expectant mom) or a cute babe (aka baby), you'll undoubtedly find what you are looking for at Meringue Boutique. They carry a large selection of women's, maternity and baby gear, which is all very stylish. I only wish I knew about Meringue Boutique when I was pregnant - they have some fabulous evening dresses that flatter the pregnant belly as well as some super comfy and super sexy sweats (no this is not an oxymoron). But alas, I am not pregnant anymore. That said, I am a new mom who loves her retail therapy! Thankfully, Meringue Boutique has a ton of cool baby stuff to satisfy my retail needs - all very decadent and very cute! Check it out at www.meringueboutique.com.

Crazy About Photos!

2006-05-16T11:32:00.000-04:00

I have never been a picture person, that is, until the birth of my son. Suddenly, everything is picture-worthy! His first smile, then his second smile, and his third smile...well, you get the point. At about the same time I realized that I had a photo addiction, I also discovered that I had a picture frame addiction. So began my pursuit for stylish frames that could both showcase pictures of our little bundle of sunshine and match the decor of very cramped Manhattan apartment.

My pursuit ended with the discovery of Sticky Prints. Started by a picture-crazy, space-saving, certified stay-at-home mom, Sticky Prints are stylish frames with a magnetic backing. This means that you can create your own baby gallery on your refrigerator, filing cabinet or any other magnet-friendly surface. Simply brilliant!

The frames are sold individually as well as in sets of three. The seasonal and limited addition sets are super cool, and the personalized frames are a perfect gift idea. Check out the entire line at www.stickyprints.com - Psst...they add new designs to their collection every month!

Froo Froos From Fabby Gabby

2006-05-04T20:59:00.000-04:00

In case you haven't heard - a froo froo is a handmade tutu. Where have you been? All the coolest princesses are wearing them these days! Yes, I am talking about a tutu that is fabulously fluffy and perfect for little girls who insist on wearing only the most royal pieces of clothing. I have seen many froo froo-wearing princesses enjoying their kid's hot chocolate at Starbucks or simply hanging out in Central Park. They love the attention and they love the glam - and honestly, who can blame them? If I wasn't a 29-year old wife of an attorney and mother of an 11-month old boy, then I might consider sporting a froo froo myself.

But if you are looking for something for your babe to wear on a non-froo froo day, then you should check out Fabby Gabby's line of onesies, tot tees and mom & baby sets. Super cute and super chic!

Go Organic with BABYBEARSHOP

2006-05-04T20:20:00.000-04:00

There are a million and three reasons why you should go organic when it comes to skin products for you and your baby. Allergies, environmental preservation and cancer prevention are just a few that immediately come to mind.

Thanks to the founders of BABYBEARSHOP, there is now a luxuriously natural line of products that are made with organic and, whenever possible, Fair Trade ingredients.

The Mama Belly Oil and the Cheeky Baby Butter are two incredibly scrumptious BABYBEARSHOP products you should try.

The mama belly oil has a perfect combination of chamomile, lavender and red mandarin oils to help protect your blossoming belly from being marred by stretchmarks. It's also great as a massage oil for babies who are older than 3 months. Super sensual and super sweet.

The cheeky baby butter is essentially a shea butter baby creme. It's excellent for baby massage and can also be used for eczema, baby acne, diaper rash. You can also use it on your own bod - it's a great hand and foot moisturizer. All you have to do is scoop out a teensy bit (a little goes a very long way) rub in clean hands until it melts like butter and then apply. Better yet, get your hubby to do it for you! After all, you deserve a little TLC.

Check out the rest of BABYBEARSHOP's organic skin care line at www.babybearshop.com. And make sure to try their lip balm - it truly is delectable!

Preggers and Proud Gives Us Another Great Shirt For our Collection

2006-05-04T12:18:00.000-04:00

My husband always says that you can never have too many t-shirts. I think that he may be onto something here. They really can be an expression of you and they often say something about where you are in your life. Maybe that's a little too profound for our discussion of t-shirts. That said, I truly believe that a t-shirt is more than just a garment. If you share my incredible respect for "the tee," then you'll be happy to know that Preggers and Proud has some pretty cool pieces to add to your collection. The coolest thing is that Katie Holmes and Gwyneth Paltrow have been seen sporting the "HOT MAMA" tee.

There is even a baby and dad line, which are super cute. Our good friend, Julia Roberts, had her kids wearing the "Mama's Got My Back" shirts...too sweet!

And Preggers and Proud also has a charitable edge - For every shirt that is gifted to a celebrity, a home for pregnant teens in Santa Barbara get five! That's cool.

Classic Treasures for Our Stylish Babes

2006-05-01T14:15:00.000-04:00

Right from the time that we discovered that I was pregnant, my husband and I shunned the mass-produced, generic baby products that you find in any department store. We didn't want our small New York apartment to be cluttered with Winnie-the-Pooh and Disney embossed products. Where in the big book of having babies does it say that you have to surrender all sense of style in order to be good parents? Sure, it may take a little longer to find the hidden treasures - but hey, who doesn't enjoy a good scavenger hunt?

Well, my friends, I have come across another gem - Teacups and Tadpoles. Teacups and Tadpoles is an e-boutique that specializes in very fashionable (and functional) styles for baby boys (a.k.a. tadpoles) and baby girls (a.k.a. teacups). You should also check out their other stuff, like their diaper bags and diaper wallets, car seat covers, and play mats.

Here are two of my favorite T&T goods:

The Cowboy Layette Set by 3 Marthas
The is a perfect gift for your little buckaroo. This 100% cotton layette set by 3 Marthas is a must for the cowboy in every little boy.

You can buy these items separately or you can buy it as a complete set:
- Cowboy Newborn Onesie (7-12 lbs.) - a "must-have" for infants
- Cowboy Burp Pad - perfect size for "rounding up" the mess
- Super Soft Flannel Cowboy Receiving Blanket (44"x44") - perfect size for snuggling

Ducky Tubbie and Bath Puppet
This vivid yellow little Ducky Tubbie & matching Bath Puppet is great for bath time fun. The Ducky Bath Puppet is the perfect size for play while soaping up your little ducky too! The fun continues when its time to dry off your clean little one with the Ducky Tubbie made of super soft & durable cotton terry.

There are so many more things to check out at www.teacupsandtadpoles.com. You'll be hearing more about them from me in the future - they are really fabulous!

Help Stop Gapiosis!

2006-04-28T16:11:00.000-04:00

Gapiosis: The space between the sock and the bottom of the pant, often accentuated by being held in arms or by being placed in a carrier or stroller.

Sweet little baby legs all over the world are being exposed to the chilly air because of gapiosis. Protect their sweet little legs from wind burn and chill with BabyLegs!

BabyLegs ...

Make diaper changes a breeze
Protect soft knees from harsh surfaces
Keep legs warm year round
Provide light weight sun protection
Make EC'n & potty training easier
Jazz up any dance class
Make a fun fashion statement with styles for every occasion

Feet remain free to allow for successful crawling, walking and dancing. BabyLegs also help keep socks on! They fit most kids from newborns to size 10. BabyLegs will warm your little ones for a long time. They're fun to use as arm warmers too!

Start Thinking About Father's Day!

2006-04-28T13:29:00.000-04:00

Women love cuddles and men love praise. Maybe that's over-simplifying things or maybe it's old-fashion, but I do know that my hubby loves it when I tell him how much I appreciate him. Trust me, life in our household is much easier when I am praising and not nagging! That said, I still have strong nagging tendencies...sometimes it's cathartic to be a bitch.

With Father's Day coming up, I thought that you girls would be interested to hear about a fun and cute gift that you could get the "new father" in your household (or, if your child is still in utero, then you might want to get this for your expectant dad). A shirt, mug or apron that tells the world that he's a great dad will do wonders for his ego! And he'll also love the fact that you think that he's a great father! You can get these shirts and other funky items at The Funky Stork Shop.

Monkeemoos Gives us a Little Fashion Help for our Boys

2006-04-27T21:05:00.000-04:00

Don't get me wrong - I love my son. He's cute and he's cuddly and he has personality! But let's face it, dressing a baby boy isn't half as much fun as it is to dress a baby girl. I am always amazed by how many adorable outfits there are for girls and how sparce and plain the baby boy section is.

Finally, there is a fashion-forward line of clothing that has that has thought about our previously plainly-dressed sons. Monkeemoos.com is an online boutique for baby boys. Their clothes scream personality with their funky and fun graphics. They have super-cool shoes, bibs and burpies, as well as a timeless classics collection. Talk about eye-candy! Everything about this boutique says adorable and, most importantly, it says BOY! Thank you Monkeemoos for giving us fashion-fiend parents a place to shop for our sons.

R&R Makes Things A Little Easier for Parents - Hint: It's a Bag with Fins!

2006-04-27T20:23:00.000-04:00

We all know how essential diapers bags are when you are out with a baby. We also know how vacuous a diaper bag can be - how many times have you had to unpack everything in a desperate search for your tot's binky or some other baby essential. Or sometimes you don't even need all the space that your regular diaper bag affords and yet you find yourself lugging it around anyway.

Our friends at Reef and Reed have also found themselves in a similar conundrum. Industrial designer turned father, Gene, the creator of Reef and Reed Shoulderbags with Fins™, wanted a bag that was not too big and not too small. It needed to be practical (easy to find and hard to lose), but also fun and stylish. After many trips to the local aquarium, he came up with the perfect idea - A Shoulderbag with Fins™.

It's true - It really is the perfect addition to the day-to-day diaper bag. Instead of rooting around in that big o'l diaper bag of yours, the R&R bag is perfectly-sized to carry your most important stuff – just drop your keys, cell phone, credit card and sunblock into your fish, and you and baby are good to go! If you are on vacation, then just drop your room key into your fish and you are set for the day!

They're safe and practical - plus you'll catch the big fish trend that's set for this summer. Available in six styles, so we're sure you'll be able to Find Your Fish™. I personally love the Tomato Clownfish Bag - But that's only because I have a thing for Nemo. Check it out, you'll see what I mean.

Outfit Your Baby Like a Star with Personalized Garments from Tiny Sprouts

2006-04-27T19:50:00.000-04:00

While many things about TomKat are questionable, one thing is for sure - Father Tom and Mother Katie have a great sense of style. Both are known for their looks and their fashion sense, and they have made it clear that they want their daughter, Suri, to carry on their fashionable tradition. Already is already decked out in the cutest high-end baby paraphernelia, according to Rachel Florio, celeb trend expert. Topping the list of Suri's possessions: A customized hand-embroidered baby blanket by Tiny Sprouts.

Tiny Sprouts has more than blankies, they also offer onesies, pjs, nightgowns, bibs, bathrobes and more. The coolest thing is that all of their embroidery is custom made by hand & all of their garments are hand-dyed - With that kind of treatment, your baby will look and feel like a celeb baby.

You can also customize everything about anything you buy. You choose the product, the color of thread & what you would like on it...and they'll ship it to you for free! It really is that simple!

Check out the entire line at www.tinysprouts.com.

Deep Thoughts on Mommyhood

2006-04-25T10:40:00.000-04:00

I'm the first to admit that I am not crazy about kids. Don't get me wrong, I love my son, but I still have a hard time relating to other munchkins. That said, as my son gets older, I find that I am warming up to the broader community of children.

There are a lot of other things that have changed since having a baby - I find that I have a much more positive outlook on life and that I find incredible humor in the silliest of things. I also find that I am much more laid back than I used to be. Don't get me wrong, I am still incredibly Type A - but to a lesser degree. My son has taught me that I can't control everything...especially him! If he wants to sleep through the night, he will. I can't do anything, not even Ferber, to force him to sleep or not sleep. He has a mind of his own. If he wants solids one day and none the next, then he'll make it known. Short of stuffing a spoon in his mouth, I am at his mercy. He's small and cute, but his personality is getting larger every day! (That's him in this picture - it was his first swing ride!)

Oddly enough, I miss the days that he depended entirely on me. Don't get me wrong, he's only 11 months old. So, it's not like he's packing his bags for college yet. It's just that he doesn't need me the way he used to - he can entertain himself, move around and hold his own bottle. When I stopped breastfeeding him when he was 7 months old, I was overjoyed by my renewed sense of freedom. Now, I find myself longing for that dependency again.

Who knew that I (of all people) would be going through a sort of separation anxiety as my son nears his first birthday. Oh, motherhood is truly an enlightening experience! Enough of my "deep thoughts"...I think I am going to do something "rebellious," like eating Haagen Dazs for breakfast. Not quite the same as skydiving, but it's still a thrill!

Pregnant, Not Fat!

2006-04-23T13:42:00.001-04:00

If you are in your first trimester, then you probably know what I am talking about. You don't quite look pregnant, but you definitely don't have the svelte body that you used to have. Up until I was about 18 weeks pregnant, I looked like I had a bad case of the "gunt" - you know, the ponch that sits in your lower abdominal region. It's the worst kind of belly ponch. I felt desperate to explain to everyone, including strangers, that I had a bun in the oven and that I had not pudged out. I don't know why I cared so much, but I did. So, if you are like me, you will be happy to know that we have a couple of t-shirt designs that effectively explains to everyone that you are working to repopulate the world and that you did not eat more than your share of chocolate cake.

You can find our "hot shirts for her" at our mothership website, www.thefunkystork.com and at www.cafepress.com/thefunkystork. You'll also find the rest of our clothing line at these sites, including some cool shirts for your dad-to-be and hip onesies, bibs and shirts for your baby.

Lexie Rose Saves the Day for Fashion-Forward, Car Seat Toting Parents

2006-04-17T20:26:00.000-04:00

Car seats - essential, but pretty darn ugly. They get even worse when you transition from the infant car seat to the monstrous toddler seat. As if it wasn't bad enough that we had to lug a stroller, diaper bag, toys and baby around! You would think that car seat manufacturers would have put some more thought into aesthetics. Oh well. I guess I should just be grateful that the seat is safe and will protect my baby.

That said, I am still fixated on appearances...which is why I was overjoyed when I came across Lexie Rose. Named after their daughter, this line of seat covers are super cool, chic and comfy. They are universally-sized to fit most infant and toddler car seats and they don't interfere with any transportation safety regulations. And to top it all off, they are also washable! So don't worry if your tot spits up or spills something on the cover - it'll all wash off!

Check out all the styles at www.lexierose.com. My personal favorite is the diva dot print!

In the unlikely event of an emergency over water...

2006-04-17T19:43:00.000-04:00

We drive long distances, we live in busy cities, we walk around at night, we fly all over the world... The reality is that we do not live in a particularly safe world. I always knew that, but (possibly due to my naïveté and belief that we were all invincible) I never gave much thought to how the whole safety issue. That said, I am much more safety conscious now that I am a parent.

I thought that I was pretty much covered since we bought the usual things, such as a car seat, baby monitor and a bunch of child proofing products. But after talking to a friend of mine, I realized that there was at least one more crucial thing we needed to do: We needed to organize our emergency contact information. After all, what if something happened to my husband and the hospital was trying to reach me. The hospital would have to root through his wallet in hopes of finding the proper phone numbers, etc. I don’t even know if my husband has anything in his wallet with our home number on it.

So, to make a long story short, we came across an organization called Emergency Contacts. Their mission is to make it easy and convenient for people to ensure everyone in the family carries enough information to ensure fast communication in the event of an emergency. Emergency Contact offers annual family memberships for $34.95. The memberships include:

1. A complete family ID kit
2. A 24/7 emergency call center
3. Secure and convenient online member account access

The ID kit is different from any other type of personal identification. It doesn’t have personal, private information about you, your family or your emergency contacts, rather your information is stored on an encrypted database so it remains secure and private. This means that your profile is never accessed by anyone except our emergency agents and only in the event of any emergency.

I know it’s not pleasant to think about the worst-case scenarios in life, but now that you are a parent you really should think seriously about the type of contact information your family carries. The Emergency Contacts membership is good because everything is already organized for you. It’s affordable and hassle-free. For more information check out www.emergencycontacts.com

Elegant Baby Adds Flair to Baby Products

2006-04-17T14:37:00.000-04:00

If you haven’t noticed, pregnancy and parenthood is hipper and sexier than ever before! Our good friends Gwyneth, Britney, Ben (Affleck) and Brad (Pitt) have proven to the world that parenthood can be quite fashionable. In fact, it’s a great excuse to go shopping and Elegant Baby is a great place to start. They really know the importance of adding flair to the functionality of baby gear – After all, they have been around for 40 years.

You can get a bunch of personalized gifts and keepsakes as well as cute blankets, nursery accessories and bath time essentials at www.elegantbaby.com. My favorites are the polka-dotted piggy bank, sea squirties and the indispensable medical kit.

The sea squirties are as much fun to use as they are to say. They will quickly become your baby’s favorite bath time toy.

It’s never too early to teach your tot the value of saving money. The polka-dotted piggy is a fun way to squirrel away your coins and it’s a great accessory in any nursery.

We have two of these medical kits – one in our nursery and one in the under seat bag of our stroller. The kit is equipped with all the basic stuff you need to care for your baby, including a:
- Medical spoon
- Nasal aspirator (which is particularly useful since our tots won’t grasp the concept of blowing their noses until they are around 3 or 4 years old)
- Plastic coated nail clipper (another useful tool since baby nails grow faster than weeds)
- Digital thermometer
- Water-filled teether (need I say more?)
- Comb and Brush

Check out the entire Elegant Baby line at www.elegantbaby.com.

Keeping Baby Feet Cute One Step at a Time

2006-04-17T14:18:00.000-04:00

I don't know about you, but my favorite parts of my baby are his feet. His little toes and his chubby ankles are beyond cute - they are almost edible! And for the last 11 months, I have allowed my son to wiggle and crawl around barefoot as much as possible. His feet seem to have a personality of their own and it's always a joy to watch them explore and react to their new environment. But now that he has started to stand and is on the verge of walking, I realize that the carefree, shoe-less days are nearing an end. The time has come to finally put shoes on my baby.

To avoid restricting my son's feet in the hard leather, orthopedic-like shoes that I wore as a baby, I set out to find shoes that are comfy and cute. I was happy to see that there were a lot of soft-leather footwear out there and I was particularly impressed by the cute styles offered by Cute Baby Shoes (CBS). Holding true to its name, Cute Baby Shoes offers a wide range of colors, styles & designs to suit your baby's unique style. I am particularly fond of the bumblebee shoes, which, in my opinion, are beyond adorable. In fact, my son’s feet may even look cuter in these shoes than they do barefoot!

And if you have a baby girl, make sure to check out CBS’s Mary-Jane style shoes in cool brocade fabric. These should be available at www.cutebabyshoes.com in mid-May.

But you should know that Cute Baby Shoes are more than just cute. There is actually a functional element which makes them even more appealing than other shoes on the market.

1. CBS shoes feature a layer of padding to cushion baby’s first steps, yet still feature all of the benefits of soft soles.

2. All of their shoes have black suede soles, which keep them looking newer longer. No more dirty foot outlines showing on the bottom of their shoes.

3. Gentle ankle elastic is wrapped with smooth leather - not cut off, exposing the raw leather.

4. Their breathable leather uppers are soft and flexible, and keep feet cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

5. They are lined with soft cotton fabric, which means no dye transfer on baby’s feet or socks.

6. Unlike some other brands, CBS has not saturated the market. This means parents buying our brand know their babies are unlikely to be wearing the exact same shoes as the baby next door. Parents purchasing a boutique item want the item to be unique, fun and fresh - Cute Baby Shoes offers that!

CBS shoes are so cute and practical that they were able to convert a barefoot fanatic like me! Check out their entire line at www.cutebabyshoes.com.

Ju-Ju-Be Bags are Smarter and Sweeter than Candy!

2006-04-17T13:40:00.000-04:00

Sure babies are cute, but there are things about them that aren’t so great. They poop, pee and need a lot of stuff. And the last thing you want is to be out-and-about without bottles, toys, diapers and wipes. Fortunately, there are a million diapers bags on the market to help us stay organized (or at least attempt to look organized) while toting our tots around town. And better yet, we are no longer forced to sacrifice our pre-baby chic image by carrying our baby gear in anything with a Disney character on it. The real challenge, however, is finding a diaper bag that exudes style while also being practical and super functional.

Look no further! Ju-Ju-Be, a high end line of baby bags and accessories, has effectively put the FUN in FUNction. As colorful and delectable as our favorite childhood candy, Ju-Ju-Be has
partnered with DuPont to create the first line of TEFLON® treated diaper bags that repel stains. Ju-Ju-Be is also the first to include an antimicrobial treatment to kills germs, mold and fungus. Bacteria won’t have anything to grow on because Crumb Drains™ make sure that the leftovers can be left behind. Smart pockets mean that our new life as a parent is easy while memory foam changing pads keep little baby comfy. With quiet magnetic closures, baby can sleep soundly ... and that makes everyone happy.

With a variety of fashion forward prints and subtle but sassy solids, mom gets to show off her style as well as her smarts. The best part is that there is also a dad line of Ju-Ju-Be bags that help men look particularly studly while they are out with their offspring. And we all know how sexy it is too see a dad with his baby! Enough said…check out www.ju-ju-be.com for more juicy details.

The Perfect Gated Community

2006-04-04T12:53:00.000-04:00

If you share our situation - a small apartment and a very mobile baby (translate: crawling everywhere) - then you will definitely appreciate what I am about to tell you about.

As new parents, we were overjoyed and amazed by how fast our baby was able to crawl. It was really cute, that is, until it got to the point where we spent all our time chasing after our son and telling him "no" and "careful" and other words of caution. Initially, we were morally opposed to the idea of a playpen. After all, our baby is not an animal! Well, we got rid of that way of thinking very quickly! That said, we still weren't blown away by most playpens that are on the market. They were really too small and they seemed really wobbly.

Just when we were about to give up our search, we came across the l'il playzone at onestepahead.com. It's great! You can buy attachments to make it as large as you want; you can dismantle it and store it under a bed; you can bring it to the park and set it up as a confined, members-only playground; etc... Our son loves it, especially when we join him in the "playzone."

So, if you are looking for something to keep your tot contained and content, then you really should check out the playzone. And if you are worried about the idea of cooping your kid up in a pen, then you should know that the playzone is more like a "gated community" than an animal cage.

Big Event this Weekend!

2006-04-03T19:43:00.000-04:00

Hey NYC Moms!
Rumor has it that there is going to be a big shindig for moms and tots this weekend (Sat April 8th) in Sydney’s Playground (66 White St between Broadway and Church St). It's being hosted by Big City Moms and TONY Kids. You can RSVP through the Big City Moms website. I am not sure if you can purchase tickets at the door - but it may be a possibility. The cost is $15 per family.

I sounds like it could be a lot of fun and it sounds like a perfect initiation into parenthood!

Welcome New Moms!

2006-03-21T21:38:00.000-05:00

It’s been a long time since our new moms groups have ended. I am sure that things have really changed for all of us as we adjust to our new lives as “moms.” I was thinking about my new identity as a “mom” the other night and how my day-to-day routine has changed. For the first couple months, my job as a new mother was to make sure that my baby’s basic needs were met – if he was hungry, I fed him; if he was tired, I rocked him to sleep; if he was wet, I changed his diaper…and so on. I don’t know about you, but life with my baby is much more enjoyable now that he is a little older and a lot more interactive. But while I may be able to change a diaper with my eyes closed and recite nursery rhymes in my sleep, I have a ton of new questions about motherhood and babyhood. If nothing else, the reality (and permanence) of being a mom is really sinking in.

So, after spending some time thinking about the reality (and permanence) of being a mom, I decided to embark on a new project…a group for semi-new moms. Since some of us have returned to work (or will be returning soon), I thought it would be best if the group were an online forum. This format will allow you to participate whenever you have time whether it be from your desk at work or from home while your baby is sleeping. Of course, you can also use the forum to post an invitation for a real-life outing for other moms. The idea is that we stay in touch, even if it is virtually.

Here are some issues that may be interesting to explore/discuss in the semi-new moms group:
- Is your baby sleeping through the night? If so, how did you do it?
- Are you still breastfeeding? If so, when do you plan to start weaning?
- Have you introduced solids yet?
- Have solids made your baby constipated? If so, what are you doing about it?
- Is your hair falling out?
- Are you using contraception?
- What about the pill and breastfeeding?
- What are you doing for Halloween?
- Rating the mom and baby classes around town (e.g., yoga, gymboree, new mothers luncheons, Kidville, etc.)
- …you get the point…

And since we live in the “Big City,” I thought that it would be appropriate to title this forum “Moms in the City.” If you are interested in participating in the group, then start posting!

Also, if you are both a semi-new mom and an expectant mother (or know of an expectant mother), make sure to send your partner to www.thefunkystork.com In case you haven't heard, www.thefunkystork.com is a website dedicated entirely to the modern expectant father. It has plenty of articles on pregnancy as well as lots of information for new dads.