Summer, Summer, Summertime! Don’t Forget These Summer-Centric Diaper Bag Essentials 05/25/2011

Now that summer is almost here it’s time to make room in your diaper bag for summertime essentials! Say goodbye to extra layers, gloves, rain gear etc. and hello to sunny accessories! To help you make the transition, check out our essential checklist below. Happy Summer!

• First and foremost, don’t leave home without baby-friendly sunscreen! Although baby might not like it very much, be sure to re-apply often throughout the day, especially if your little one is in and out of the water.
• Another vital accessory for summer is baby’s sun hat and sunglasses. Your little one’s skin is very sensitive and wearing a hat and sunglasses is a great way to protect baby from harmful UVA rays.
• For all the little fish out there, don’t forget a swim suit and the swim diapers! Since they soak up water pretty quickly, bringing extras (along with regular diapers) is always a good idea.
• Since baby will most likely be getting wet and/or dirty playing in the summer sun, be sure to bring an extra change of clothes, blanket and a towel (or two!).
• To help entertain your summer baby, be sure to pack sand toys, water toys and chew-friendly travel toys.
• As all moms know, packing snacks in the diaper bag is absolutely necessary. For summer, pack snacks that keep well in the summer sun such as cheerios, goldfish, crackers and fruit.

Are there any vital items we left out? Let us know by sharing your summertime essentials in the comments section below!

Guest Blogger Spotlight: Discovering Foods With Your Little One by Busy Working Mama 05/12/2011

During the first year of my daughter’s life, I constantly marveled at how quickly Lily grew, learned and developed. It seemed like just when I got the hang of a certain stage, it was time to move forward and try something new. Part of the fun of that first year was introducing Lily to new foods. Since our family enjoys a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, I was excited to see how Lily would enjoy the various food I loved to cook.

While I am by no means an expert, here are some things I learned along the way.

Don’t rule out making your own baby food. It is easier than you might think, and often less expensive in the long run. There are many free resources for recipe ideas available online.

Don’t be afraid to get messy. Children have a great time exploring different textures and colors. Even if your baby doesn’t have a lot of teeth, you can still try a variety of foods they can easily munch on with their gums. Some of Lily’s favorites were blueberries, strawberries and tofu cubes.

Don’t discriminate. Just because you might not like the flavor of squash or broccoli doesn’t mean your child won’t. Let your child explore all sorts of fruit and vegetables. I had never personally enjoyed squash, but when I saw how much Lily liked pureed squash as a baby, I was motivated to find some recipes that incorporated squash. Now, acorn or butternut squash soups are a favorite around our house.

Don’t give up. It may take several attempts with a certain food for your baby to accept it. As my daughter grew, I found that introducing the food in a fun way was helpful. Arrange your fruits or veggies in cute containers or into a fun shape. Teach your child the name of the food as you serve it. Lily loved learning the new words that went along with the food. If I told her she was getting “asparagus” she was immediately interested by the strange new word and curious to try it for herself.

I have been very lucky to have a three year old child that likes to eat just about anything – from fresh cucumbers and tomatoes to sushi and stuffed cabbage. Now that she is older, Lily likes to help with food preparation and assist in the kitchen. Lily’s first recipe – sliced radishes with cream cheese and pine nuts. I think I have a budding chef!

Guest blogger Aleksandra is a working mother of a 3-year old daughter. In addition to sharing a love of cooking with her daughter, she enjoys gardening, running, traveling, and shopping online to help with her busy schedule. You can learn more about her at her blog, Busy Working Mama.

Reward Yourself This Mother’s Day! 05/06/2011

Being a mother is one of the most wonderful experiences in the world. Being there for all of your baby’s first moments and helping to mold them and watch them  blossom into children and adults is incredibly moving, inspiring and precious.  Mother’s Day is a day to celebrate all that you do for your family and to bask in the appreciation and love from your children, grandchildren and extended family.

If you could create your ideal Mother’s Day, how would you like to spend it? Perhaps you’d like to start the day with breakfast in bed, or by receiving flowers or a homemade present from your little one.  Mother’s Day is a wonderful time to spend with your family and it should be thoroughly enjoyed!  Below are a few more ways to get the most out of this special holiday dedicated to you! Happy Mother’s Day!  

A great, relaxing way to spend Mother’s Day is by having a low-key family movie night. Rent a couple of movies, pop some popcorn and snuggle up with your little ones! Sounds like a great Mother’s Day to us!

Perhaps you want your Mother’s Day to be all about gratitude for the women who raised you.  Spend an afternoon with your own mother, grandmother, or both. Reminisce about your favorite childhood memories with mom and grandma (and maybe even the times you got in trouble!) and share your favorite parenting moments with your own children. Tell them how much you appreciate them for all they’ve done for you.

Now that the weather has (finally!) warmed up a bit, why not take the family festivities outdoors? Have a Mother’s Day picnic at your local park, beach or lake.  If packing everything up proves to be too taxing, you could simply have a picnic in the backyard!

How would you like to spend your Mother’s Day? Let us know in the comments! We hope you enjoy this Mother’s Day – you deserve it!