Hand Painted Birth Certificate - Great New Baby Gift

 I'm always on the lookout for great new baby gifts. This hand-painted birth certificate by Jamie's Painting and Design, tops the chart in my book. At $35 it doesn't break the bank, plus it's personalized so you'll get credit for going the extra mile. Another nice thing about this gift is its not too big (6" x 8"), but it's cute artwork that looks adorable hanging in a nursery. (Mine is above the changing table.)

A friend of mine had twins a month ago. There is even a twins certificate! Adoption certificates are covered too!

Jamie's Painting and Design just came out with lot's of new designs - there's Baptism Certificates, an Easter Plate, and cool name tiles.

 Cute Due-In T-shirts Make Great Gifts

I think the problem with a lot of printed maternity t-shirts is they are sort of....um...well...tacky.  Not that I don't like being a little playful, but let's do it in a classy way. That's why I love this maternity t-shirt by Samson Martin.  It's sassy without being class-less. In dainty little letters it says "Due In October"...or whatever month you’re expecting. It doesn't shout "I'm pregnant!!!", but sweetly tells the message.

This is something I would have loved to been given. There's that awkward stage in your pregnancy where you don't exactly look like you have abs of steel anymore, and yet you don't look pregnant. This is the t-shirt for just that time (and beyond). It will do the explaining for you.  The quality is top notch, and it's cute on its own or under a jacket.  A good maternity clothes staple for only $48.

<a href="http://technorati.com/claim/5qyn2uiu96" rel="me">Technorati Profile</a>

Tori Spelling's Nursery Boasts "Little Man" Artwork

  Always the trendsetter, Tori Spelling's nursery is both hip and sweet.  According to a picture published in People Magazine, her nursery features this Little Man artwork by Mary Jack Studios.  We applaud her on her amazing taste for her nursery.

I like this particular piece because it is modern and sleek, but it also gives a nod to traditional decor with its plaid background. Plus, I like the juxtaposition of grown up ties in a sweet baby boy’s room. 

While we don't all have Tori's skies-the-limit budget for our nurseries, this nursery artwork is within a well-rounded price range. At $95, we can all have a little taste of a Hollywood nursery! 

Sherri Blum's Adorable and Affordable Nursery Artwork

Our favorite artist, Sherri Blum has done something remarkable - she's brought us adorable artwork for the nursery at a price tag that doesn't require a second mortgage.  At 12" square, and weighing in at only $70, these giclees earn an A+ in our book.

Not only are they affordable, but we like the sentiment behind them. How cute is that? Having adorable nicknames on artwork!?

The colors are completely "au currant" for today's hip nursery. And the size is good too - not too big, not too small. If you gave it as a gift, they'd have a place for it! 

Available in four cute "nicknames" - Cupcake, Peanut, Pumpkin, and Sweet Pea.

Bella Band -- your bumps best friend

Move over diamonds, Bella Bands are a girl's best friend through pregnancy and beyond. I can't even tell you how much I wish they'd had these when I was pregnant. (If they did, no one told me about them!)

For the minimal investment of $26, you're investing in the least expensive and most useful item in your maternity wardrobe. A Bella Band is definitely much cheaper than those designer maternity jeans!

Let me count the ways you'll love them....First trimester your Bella Band will hold up your non-maternity pants that you can still fit into only if you go "un-zipped". (Solves the problem of having your pants fall down.)  Second trimester your Bella Band smoothes down the excess fabric when you have too much cloth in the maternity pants and not enough belly.  Moving on to the third trimester, your back starts to ache and Bella Band acts as a stylish back-support system. And then post baby?  Well, you don't spring back into shape immediately. Let's just say the Bella Band helps you control the pouch. 

Get one for yourself or a pregnant friend. It’s really indispensable.

We've all gotten the announcement from your husband's co-worker saying they've had a new baby. You want to send something to say you care, but can't send everyone an expensive gift.  Plus, being time strapped you don't have tons of time to find a gift with enough "wow-factor".  Our solution is the Diapee & Wipee $15.00 diaper clutch. It is inexpensive, on the cutting edge of parenting products, and is very useful. 

The hottest seller is the Diapee & Wipee Black Disco Dot. Probably because it is gender neutral and not doesn't scream BABY! 

If you're wondering what in the world the Diapee & Wipee clutch is think old fashion lipstick cases. Only these hold diapers and wipes.

All in all, this is a great gift. And one that won't break the bank!

I was at a play date with a few moms that I didn't know that well.  As is usually the case, the topic of misbehaving children came up. And we all pondered how we go about disciplining our kids.   Several of the moms use the "time out chair".  I've used it, with mixed results.  Everyone was silent for a moment, and I volunteered, "Well I believe in spanking".  For a minute I felt like the person who burps in church. Everyone stared.

Don't get me wrong, I don't spank at the drop of a hat. I know some child psycologists may give me a trillion reasons why not to spank, but I'm still a firm believer in it.  But let me clarify. I spank only when it comes to DANGER situations.  Run out in the street?  Spanking.  Push your brother down the stairs?  Spanking.  It just seems that the quick spank reiterates that the action in question was dangerous. 

I'd love to hear comments on what you think. Do you spank? When? And what other forms of discipline do you use?

Now saying dirty words....that is another post.

What’s the etiquette for having a baby shower for a second or third child? A long time ago, they only had baby showers for the first child. The philosophy being “set the mom up with baby related items she didn’t have.” However, today it’s completely acceptable to have showers for Second and Third babies. Look at it as an opportunity to tell the expecting Mommy, “We love you and are very excited for you!”

The arrival of every child brings mixed emotions to a Mom. Of course she’s excited, but she also has thoughts like: “Can I do this again?” “How will I juggle it all?” “Have I forgotten something?” The point of a second or third baby shower isn’t the amount of presents given, but to get together to celebrate a new baby! The baby shower is a way to reflect on the upcoming arrival, to bond with friends, and support the new mom–all of which are great reasons to throw a second, or third baby shower.

Unless it’s been a long time between children, the mom probably has the necessities. For the second or third baby shower, mix it up a little bit. Do something different like focus on a theme. Have a book shower – give favorite books and write to baby inside the cover.   Give bookmarks as party favors.

Or have a “Pamper the Mommy” shower! (This is sure to please the mommy.) Give shower gifts that focus on the pregnant mom – a pretty nightgown or robe for the hospital, a gift certificate for a pedicure, coupons for babysitting her other children. You get the picture – indulge the gal with the belly.

Another idea would be to have a tea. I just helped give a baby shower for a second child and we had a lovely tea. We made tea sandwiches, had scones, fruit salad, and drank tea. What a lovely relaxing way to have a party!

A favorite of mine is the “Dinner Shower”. Instead of bringing presents, bring cooked meals that the Mom can freeze. Buy the disposable, tin baking dishes at the grocery, write the directions on the top, and voila – a great present! This shower idea is so helpful I’ve almost wanted to have another child just to get dinners made for me!

Not happy to happily sit on their laurels, our friends at Petunia Pickle Bottom have taken the diaper bag market to yet another level with the introduction of the new Touring Tote. I’m already the content owner of a Shoulder Bag, but the Touring Tote is so fantastic I think it is a wardrobe must-have. I look at the Touring Tote not as a diaper bag but rather as a purse!

I’m not alone in wanting to carry the Touring Tote as a handbag. We have many store customers who ask, “If I don’t have a baby can I carry this?” I say, “of course you can!” The Touring Tote is an incredibly well designed bag, baby or not. And doesn’t every woman want a well-appointed and well thought-out handbag? You don’t need me to tell you the answer.

Before I had kids, I wouldn’t have understood the brilliance in having a detachable change pad. Having done my time with the roll up version of change pads, I realize how they get stuck in the bottom of the bag, or take up too much room. Petunia Pickle Bottom’s change pad is soft and padded, yet tucks discretely into the bag. If you get it dirty, you can wash it with no problem. The detachable change pad is a stroke of genius.

My favorite “flavor” is the Coco Roll (Chocolate Brown and Blue), but my girlfriend swears by the Miso Lovely (Brown, Pink, an Gold). I can’t wear green very well, so I shy away from green handbags. The other day I was at Starbucks, and a lady walked in sporting the Green Tea Touring Tote. She looked so fabulous and put together I thought, “Oh she must not have a baby, she’s using it as a purse.” I was wrong; she had a tiny baby with her. She had a tight black ribbed turtleneck, great fitting jeans, and black boots. Simple and chic. Just like the Petunia Pickle Bottom way.