Hey moms and dads,
We wanted to let our new blog readers know that there’s even more Baby Einstein available online. Check out our official YouTube channel with your little one for clips of your favorite programs, fun videos, wacky puppets, tips and more. You can preview DVDs that you may not have seen yet and share videos with fellow parents to friends. So check it out and prepare for a few giggles out of you and baby!
We share your dedication to bringing a smile to your child’s face every day. Lucky for us we have awesome parents that are always giving us feedback to help guide us in what you want and need.
Recently we’ve been hearing quite a bit from parents of children with special needs. Of course, the issues and children’s ages vary, but we are always pleased to hear from parents that our products bring happiness to their child’s life. Your positive feedback made us want to share Baby Einstein with parents of a child with special needs who might not have explored our DVDs yet with their child. That’s when we thought, what better way than a sampler!
We are offering a free DVD sampler featuring a taste of 3 of our popular DVDs with almost 20 minutes of free content and expert advice. Parents can register for a copy now through December 31st. After you watch together we would love to hear from you. Your insight helps us create the best products possible for all children.
As always we promise to put your child first in everything that we do. We hope that this is one more way that we can work together to make sure that every child has a great experience with Baby Einstein.
Visit http://www.babyeinstein.com/specialdiscoveries for more information.
As we experience each first moment with our baby we realize how truly special the simple things in life are. We are excited that our dear friend Blue-Eyed Bride is joining us as our first Baby E guest blogger to share a recent fun first trip to the barber with her adorable son.
A Year of Firsts- by Blue-Eyed Bride
When our baby boy was first born, it was hard to imagine him doing anything other than sleeping and eating. Sure, I knew that someday he’d say his first word and take his first steps, but those days seemed such a long way away when we were in the middle of 2 a.m. feedings and diaper changes.
I did know, though, that I wanted to make sure that when those first moments happened, that I was there to see them, marvel over them, record them, and put them in his baby book.
Over the past 14 months, we have been so fortunate to witness all of his firsts. He took his first steps toward his teacher at The Little Gym. His first word was “daddy” and many more words have followed since then. His first trip to the beach was a month after his birthday and he couldn’t get enough of the ocean.
More recently, over the weekend in fact, we took him to get his first haircut. I had been dragging my feet on getting his hair cut because little boys don’t look like babies anymore after they get their hair cut. They look clean cut and like little men.
I had become so attached to the little curls at the top of his neck. And I was starting to get attached to the little mullet that was starting to grow down his neck. That was when my husband put his foot down and decided that it was time to get his haircut.
I decided to take him to my salon because I felt like I could have a little more say in the cut because I know and trust my stylist. I’m positive that I overpaid for the haircut, but that’s okay.
He sat in the adult chair on a little booster and he wore an adult-sized smock. His little blond head looked so tiny in the big black smock and I almost cried when he just sat there calmly looking around. He looked so small, but so grown up.
I fed him snacks to keep his attention and to help keep him still while my mom snapped photos. My husband couldn’t get away from work and I was thrilled that my mom came along to take pictures for us.
As soon as the hair on his forehead was trimmed, I saw this image of a growing boy, not a baby. His little face transformed in an instant and I wanted to cry. But I didn’t. Mostly because I was worried my stylist would think I had lost my mind.
Then his little curls on his neck were snipped off and he had a clean little boy haircut. We got the pictures and we even saved some of the hair from his curls to put in a little envelope in his baby book.
Each little “first” moment is a little bittersweet. I’m so proud of him and everything he can do. He can run, he can talk, he can throw the ball. He knows what we’re saying a lot of the time and responds to us. But each time something happens for the first time, I realize that it will never happen for the first time again. I’m just grateful that I’ve been fortunate enough to witness most of those sweet “first” moments that are most certainly more special to me than they are to him.
You can check out more by The Blue-Eyed Bride at her blog.
What has your most simple yet memorable first been with your baby this year?
Its national smile week so there’s just one more reason (as if you needed one) to spend time making your little guy smile today. We have a few tips that are sure to get your little bug showing off that heart melting smile and make the most out of today’s together time.
Just the Two of Us
Of course you smile every time that you look into his eyes, but take a moment today to consciously smile at your baby and see if he will smile back. He’ll love the attention and will surely give you a big smile if you add in a few big pecks on the cheeks. Mix in a raspberry on his little belly for a guaranteed giggle. And you can always throw in a few silly faces. Don’t worry no one is looking but your baby 
Show Time
You can take time today to sit with your baby and show off your acting chops. Grab his favorite colorful character, may we suggest the Teethe & Tug Dog & the Tummy Ticklers Bird and get into character. Try your best baby talk, make up a silly song or sing along to a soothing CD that you have lying around your home. The colors, sounds and time spent with just you two will have him smiling from ear to ear. Another tip: If you smile and show how much fun you are having as you are going along, he’s sure to take a cue.
Magic Mirror
If you have a mirror lying around that’s all you need for a smiling session. Grab and place a mirror at least an arm’s length away. Just seeing the movements will be sure to give him a smile but spend some extra time pointing to and identifying parts of his face in the mirror. Try to get him to stick out his tongue or wave to the baby in the mirror. While he might not realize what is really happening just yet, your baby will be smiling with fascination by his reflection. If you are looking for a little helper our Lights & Melodies Mirror is a great way to add fun lights and sounds to your mirror discovery together time. Oh, and don’t forget an oldie but goody; a game of mirror peek-a-boo will keep him giggling for a long while.
So whichever way that you choose, spend today gushing over your baby’s million dollar smile. And if you have a tip for making your baby smile that you want to share with fellow parents let us know here or over at our Facebook Page
Ah, finally summertime is here. It’s a great time to get back outside and the perfect opportunity to introduce your little one to some really neat new sights & sounds.
Go, go garden!
Your garden is filled with colors and textures that will be brand new to your little sprout so bring him along for the adventure (and don’t be afraid to get a little dirty). Introduce him to new textures by sprinkling a handful of dirt on his hands or tickling his little arms & feet with a leaf. Let him smell the crisp scents of fresh herbs. Take some time to show and tell real examples of bright colors with a red tomato, yellow sunflower or anything in your garden. To make garden discovery even more fun for your toddler bring along Baby Einstein Nature Nesting Blocks. Together you can match the photos on the blocks with real examples of what he is seeing. Each relaxing gardening session time out can be filled with new experiences for your new little helper!
On the run.
You are probably itching to get back to old routines like your morning jog. Once your baby is about 6 months old, you can get back to business as usual bringing him along for double duty (provided your doctor gives you the okay to resume physical activity). Who says exercise has to be a solo activity? The stroller is as good a place as any to discover nature. As you run, explain what you see and pick up a few tactile natural toys along the way, like a shiny leaf, smooth stone or craggy piece of bark. From the woof of a puppy to the color of passing cars, use everything you experience as the chance to explain the wonderful world around you (and ask your little one questions about what he sees if he’s old enough to talk). We’re sure that watching him in total wonder is awesome motivation to put on those running sneaks!
Park playtime
A day in the park may require a little more prep, but can be a lovely relaxing day for both you and baby (and a new universe filled with fun stuff to explore together). From the rustling of tree branches to a scampering squirrel, everything outside is the opportunity to see him amazed by the beauty he sees and a great chance to snap his reaction, so have your camera handy.
Get up and out, mamas and papas! Take advantage of this summer to explore the beauty of nature with your baby and enjoy every minute. Happy trails!
Are you busting out baby’s first swimsuit this 4th of July? You’ll see a look of sheer amazement on her precious face when her tiny feet touch the sand for the first time. Letting your lil’ one splash in the water encourages sensory discovery so your first trip to the beach can be a great chance to stimulate her curiosity and start exploring. Here are a few tips for making your lil one’s first seaside adventure truly nourishing experience.
Exploration from the comfort of your beach blanket:
There are so many opportunities for discovering new things on your baby’s first beach trip. Start out from the comfort of your beach blanket.
First, let your baby touch everything to get acquainted with the different textures and sensations. She’ll probably be both confused by and fascinated with sand. Let her move at her pace. Start by placing sand on her chubby little leg then hold her and let her gently feel the sand as she pretends to walk. The warm feel of the sand will spark her curiosity.
You can also make a patch of wet sand and explore how the sand turns harder. She may not be able to communicate, but the intrigue in her eyes will let you know that she’s completely engaged.
Once she’s comfy with her beach surroundings you can send daddy to collect seashells and together feel the different ridges and shapes. Look at the beauty in their color together and if you happen upon a sand castle definitely stop by and explore with your little one.
OK let’s get her ready for the ocean! Grab 2 small beach pails. Fill 1 with warm ocean water and 1 with cool bottled water. Show her the different water temperatures by dipping her little fingers from a cup of cool water to a cup of warm water. The sensations will intrigue her and get her ready for more water!
Taking the big dip:
Most parents agree that you should wait until your baby is about 6 months old before exposing her to the ocean. Her delicate immune system is still developing and needs to be protected. To be sure, check with your pediatrician before you head to the beach. Once your baby old enough you can start having so much fun exploring the ocean together.
On your first trip you won’t want to go in too deep. Babies are still developing trust so take things slowly. Sit on the edge of the ocean with your little girl on your lap and just watch and feel the waves together. With each incoming one your baby will begin to giggle as she splashes around. While the two of you are playing, try blowing bubbles on the water’s surface to get her giggling even more! She may not be able to imitate you just yet, but she’ll have a ball and be so curious about these new things going on in the water.
Another fun idea is to tickle her senses with fun floatables. You can bring anything that floats and show her as it bops along the water’s surface.
The new wet sensations will spark her curiosity about that place she only sees on Baby Neptune .
Remember 2 safety things moms & dads-keep track of your tot’s temperature. She could get cold quickly if the water is below 85°F so if she starts to shiver, take her out and towel her off right away and always hold your baby, never let her more than an arm’s length!
Chill beach together time:
After all of your playful beach time your little one will need a nap so cuddle up under your cabana grab your Splash and Giggle Bath Book Water, Water Everywhere and read to your lil one.
There’s still one more chance to introduce her to the wonders of the beach. Listen to the ocean sounds together. The lulling sound of waves coming are a great natural soother. You’ll just watch as she drifts off to sleep so happy after an afternoon of beach adventure.
The information contained on this page is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.
The opinions expressed herein are those of the participants of the blog and not those of The Baby Einstein Company, LLC. The Baby Einstein Company, LLC only screens to assure civil discourse. Some of the participants may have received consideration or product for their review.
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