When planning a baby shower it is often the special touches that add warmth to the celebration. Not only can your shower run a little smoother, but your mom-to-be and guests will appreciate your thoughtfulness. To add a festive touch, simply place helium balloons outside your front door to greet your guests and expectant mother. Another cute idea is to place a sign on the lawn advertising the upcoming arrival.
You can find many adorable signs that can be either purchased or rented at party stores. Decorating for a shower is always fun, but many people forget about the bathroom. Adding a scented candle, some special soap and lotions will add warmth to the room. As your shower guests arrive, be sure to take the time to introduce them to one another. If you are putting together a seating arrangement, place people who know each other or have common interests together.
This will help keep everyone comfortable and avoid the awkwardness that can sometimes happen when guests have never met. Help make your expectant mom feel pampered and relaxed on the way to and from the baby shower. Arrange a designated driver to pick her up and drive her home.
Your expectant mom will want to remember her shower and have something to look back on. Ask a shower guest in advance to be the designated photographer. Have them take a picture of each guest with the expectant mom.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
A Surprise Baby Shower Can Be the Perfect Way to Celebrate
Throwing a surprise baby shower doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, it can be fun for all involved. All it takes is a little patience, a few basic steps, and the cooperation of friends and family. A surprise shower does involve some secrets, so remember to be stealthy. But you will want to make sure that the mom-to-be will be up for a surprise.
Early on in her pregnancy, try to ascertain if she is up for a surprise baby shower or if she would rather know in advance. This could eliminate surprising mom-to-be when she is not feeling up to it.
(If mom-to-be knows she has a surprise baby shower coming up, she will be more likely to be dressed appropriately when the time comes.) Once you have determined whether the baby shower will be a surprise or not, make sure that mom-to-be has registered for baby gifts. Even if you are having a non-surprise baby shower, it is never appropriate to ask the mom-to-be what she wants for the baby.
Let the registry do the talking so baby shower guests can feel free to choose gifts within their own individual budgets. You will need to enlist the help of those closest to mom-to-be, particularly the dad-to-be. He will be able to help determine a date and time for the surprise baby shower. As well as help to get her there with the least amount of suspicion. He can also make sure she doesn’t head out in a baseball cap and no makeup.
Early on in her pregnancy, try to ascertain if she is up for a surprise baby shower or if she would rather know in advance. This could eliminate surprising mom-to-be when she is not feeling up to it.
(If mom-to-be knows she has a surprise baby shower coming up, she will be more likely to be dressed appropriately when the time comes.) Once you have determined whether the baby shower will be a surprise or not, make sure that mom-to-be has registered for baby gifts. Even if you are having a non-surprise baby shower, it is never appropriate to ask the mom-to-be what she wants for the baby.
Let the registry do the talking so baby shower guests can feel free to choose gifts within their own individual budgets. You will need to enlist the help of those closest to mom-to-be, particularly the dad-to-be. He will be able to help determine a date and time for the surprise baby shower. As well as help to get her there with the least amount of suspicion. He can also make sure she doesn’t head out in a baseball cap and no makeup.
A Man and His Baby
When a couple steps forth with a baby in tow everything in life is stable and normal. People hold open doors, hard shopkeepers “chuck” and go all gooey before catching themselves and generally life is an easy ride. But gentlemen, when he who dares to step-out with a baby in tow (minus the wife) life becomes a series of obstacles that never ceases to surprise.I don’t mean a trip to the corner shop, “no siree”!
I mean a fully-fledged trip into town, pram, milk bottles and spare nappies to boot! Small things are immediately noticeable, like that hard and mean-looking grocer down the road! When my wife goes in to his establishment he goes all gooey, in fact he doesn’t notice me at all; just talks to my wife and son and ignores me as if I was the invisible man. But walking in to his shop with only my son, an apple to buy before the days outing ahead and he became meaner and harder. In fact he noticed me for the first time, glared at me as if I had just stolen the kid and was on the run and said “hope that’s not for the little one”!
I felt like saying what’s it got to do with you mate but ……………on the bus the driver who suggested that I sit near the front instead of upstairs was nearly out of his seat and taking the part of usher before realizing that this was not really in his job description! Somehow some basic human instinct suggests that ‘man’ is neither capable nor fit to look after a baby! This instinct immediately raises the hairs on the backs of people’s necks, images of disaster loom in their minds and unseen forces push them forwards to offer help.
They do not see a happy and carefree father pushing his laughing baby along in the pram, they see a harried father who is at his wits end and who is desperate for help. They see a tormented and unwilling baby, screaming and kicking in desperation, a father who is pulling his hair out and desperately looking around for somebody to just show him what to do.
I mean a fully-fledged trip into town, pram, milk bottles and spare nappies to boot! Small things are immediately noticeable, like that hard and mean-looking grocer down the road! When my wife goes in to his establishment he goes all gooey, in fact he doesn’t notice me at all; just talks to my wife and son and ignores me as if I was the invisible man. But walking in to his shop with only my son, an apple to buy before the days outing ahead and he became meaner and harder. In fact he noticed me for the first time, glared at me as if I had just stolen the kid and was on the run and said “hope that’s not for the little one”!
I felt like saying what’s it got to do with you mate but ……………on the bus the driver who suggested that I sit near the front instead of upstairs was nearly out of his seat and taking the part of usher before realizing that this was not really in his job description! Somehow some basic human instinct suggests that ‘man’ is neither capable nor fit to look after a baby! This instinct immediately raises the hairs on the backs of people’s necks, images of disaster loom in their minds and unseen forces push them forwards to offer help.
They do not see a happy and carefree father pushing his laughing baby along in the pram, they see a harried father who is at his wits end and who is desperate for help. They see a tormented and unwilling baby, screaming and kicking in desperation, a father who is pulling his hair out and desperately looking around for somebody to just show him what to do.
A double baby stroller for double your fun
If yours is one of those lucky families whose numbers have increased by two instead of just one: a double baby stroller will be perfect for you.
These come in either side-by-side or tandem seating and a double baby stroller can be found in any of the colors of the rainbow. Babysitters find that pushing a double baby stroller allows them to easily manage two children rather than one, yet still be able to provide the personal attention to each that the little ones require.
Most models have multiple pockets for carrying extra diapers, baby bottles, wipes and jackets and are made from a variety of long lasting materials.
The addition of two rain covers to a double baby stroller will keep your babies warm and dry and allow a walk outdoors in the fresh air in most weather conditions.
These come in either side-by-side or tandem seating and a double baby stroller can be found in any of the colors of the rainbow. Babysitters find that pushing a double baby stroller allows them to easily manage two children rather than one, yet still be able to provide the personal attention to each that the little ones require.
Most models have multiple pockets for carrying extra diapers, baby bottles, wipes and jackets and are made from a variety of long lasting materials.
The addition of two rain covers to a double baby stroller will keep your babies warm and dry and allow a walk outdoors in the fresh air in most weather conditions.
A Daddy Baby Shower - New Twist on the old Baby Shower
Try something new, a Daddy Baby Shower. Even though no one would realistically expect a new daddy-to-be to sit around with his closest buddies, opening baby shower gifts and playing party games while oohing and aahing over the imminent birth of his child. That doesn’t mean that Dad can’t have a baby shower-type celebration.
Daddy deserves to celebrate the birth of his child, too!Of course, the term baby shower does invoke visions of baby themed parties. Like the one described above when planning a baby shower. So perhaps “baby shower” is not an appropriate name for this get-together. Why limit yourself with a label, anyway?
Call it a “celebrating-Jim’s-impending-fatherhood” party, if you want, instead of baby showers for dad. Here are a few suggestions to make this type of party one for daddy-to-be to remember:Play Games:Well, not baby shower games. But you can play poker, horseshoes or even a game of shirts-n-skins football in the back yard.Eat, Drink, and Be Merry:Have tons of fattening and not-good-for-you foods.
Make spareribs, cheese steaks, wings, and anything else you can eat with your hands and make a mess with. The wives won’t be there to complain and you can grunt all you want. Have some beers (or soda if you prefer) and barbecue.
Last Night Out:Take the dad-to-be out for a night on the town to rival his bachelor party. Do some bar hopping, play some pool, shoot some darts, and don’t go home until you are kicked out of at least three places. Keep Dad safe, though, and designate someone to stay sober and make sure everyone gets home in one piece.
Daddy deserves to celebrate the birth of his child, too!Of course, the term baby shower does invoke visions of baby themed parties. Like the one described above when planning a baby shower. So perhaps “baby shower” is not an appropriate name for this get-together. Why limit yourself with a label, anyway?
Call it a “celebrating-Jim’s-impending-fatherhood” party, if you want, instead of baby showers for dad. Here are a few suggestions to make this type of party one for daddy-to-be to remember:Play Games:Well, not baby shower games. But you can play poker, horseshoes or even a game of shirts-n-skins football in the back yard.Eat, Drink, and Be Merry:Have tons of fattening and not-good-for-you foods.
Make spareribs, cheese steaks, wings, and anything else you can eat with your hands and make a mess with. The wives won’t be there to complain and you can grunt all you want. Have some beers (or soda if you prefer) and barbecue.
Last Night Out:Take the dad-to-be out for a night on the town to rival his bachelor party. Do some bar hopping, play some pool, shoot some darts, and don’t go home until you are kicked out of at least three places. Keep Dad safe, though, and designate someone to stay sober and make sure everyone gets home in one piece.
A Baby Is Born With Several Reflexes
A Baby's Reflexes..A baby is born with certain reflexes to protect them during the first few weeks. These reflexes will disappear after a few weeks and be replaced with voluntary movement during baby's development.
Doctors will check these reflexes to ensure his central nervous system is working correctly.
Walking ReflexIf you hold baby in an upright position with his feet touching the floor, his legs will seem to be trying to walk.
This reflex will last for about 3-4 weeks, and he won't actually walk until he is around 12 months.
Crawling ReflexPlace baby on his stomach and he will take up a crawling position with his bottom in the air and his legs bent.
This lasts for about two months when he will then be able to lie flat.Search ReflexTouch baby's cheek with your finger or breast and he will turn towards the source and open his mouth in search of food. This reflex will last for about 12 weeks.
Grasp ReflexPlace your finger in the palm of baby's hand and he will grasp it. This involuntary movement will persist for about 3 months.
Doctors will check these reflexes to ensure his central nervous system is working correctly.
Walking ReflexIf you hold baby in an upright position with his feet touching the floor, his legs will seem to be trying to walk.
This reflex will last for about 3-4 weeks, and he won't actually walk until he is around 12 months.
Crawling ReflexPlace baby on his stomach and he will take up a crawling position with his bottom in the air and his legs bent.
This lasts for about two months when he will then be able to lie flat.Search ReflexTouch baby's cheek with your finger or breast and he will turn towards the source and open his mouth in search of food. This reflex will last for about 12 weeks.
Grasp ReflexPlace your finger in the palm of baby's hand and he will grasp it. This involuntary movement will persist for about 3 months.
150-Million Year Old Baby Bird Fossil/ W Hide Scraper!
I was using my metal detector in the foothills of Tucson, Arizona. As luck would have it, I never find what I am Seeking. As the day started to come to an end. I was walking back to my truck with the metal detector resting on my shoulder.
I caught sight of an unusual looking rock laying on the ground. After picking up the rock I dusted the rock on my pant leg and noticed a fossilized baby bird just off center of the stone. I turned the stone over to reveal more of the bird’s body on the back of the stone.
After showing the bird off to some of my friends, I decided to take the stone to the University of Arizona. I wanted to learn more about what I had found.
My first stop at the U of A was at the American History Museum. I was told to take my stone to the Paleontology Department across the lawn in front of where I was. When I got there I saw a professor in his office. I asked him if I could talk to a Paleontologist. He asked why, so I handed him the stone and preceded to tell him how I had found the stone. His eyes got big with excitement as he examined the stone while we walking down the hallway to another office. Soon theirs were several professor and people looking at the stone in awe over my good fortune. As they talked, I listened.
The rock I found was secondary sedimentary solidified black limestone. Which is not indigenous to this area. I was told the rock could have come from Canada, Montana, Kansas, China, or even from South America.
I caught sight of an unusual looking rock laying on the ground. After picking up the rock I dusted the rock on my pant leg and noticed a fossilized baby bird just off center of the stone. I turned the stone over to reveal more of the bird’s body on the back of the stone.
After showing the bird off to some of my friends, I decided to take the stone to the University of Arizona. I wanted to learn more about what I had found.
My first stop at the U of A was at the American History Museum. I was told to take my stone to the Paleontology Department across the lawn in front of where I was. When I got there I saw a professor in his office. I asked him if I could talk to a Paleontologist. He asked why, so I handed him the stone and preceded to tell him how I had found the stone. His eyes got big with excitement as he examined the stone while we walking down the hallway to another office. Soon theirs were several professor and people looking at the stone in awe over my good fortune. As they talked, I listened.
The rock I found was secondary sedimentary solidified black limestone. Which is not indigenous to this area. I was told the rock could have come from Canada, Montana, Kansas, China, or even from South America.
7 Ways to Determine if a Beanie Baby is Counterfeit
Many of the counterfeits have spelling errors on the tags, but keep in mind that so do some of the authentic Ty Beanie Babies. So you usually have to look for other mistakes beside just this.
Check the tag dates and the addresses to make sure they are correct. Many of the counterfeits have the wrong date on the tush tag.
Compare the tags of the suspect Beanie Baby with the tags of another Ty Beanie Baby that you know to be authentic.
Is the type on the tags too light or too dark? Is it the right typeface?
Compare the tags to an authentic Ty Beanie Baby's tags and determine if the tags are smaller or larger than the authentic tags.
Compare the stock color inside the hang tag to another hang tag. Is it too white? Authentic tags have an off-white color.
Are the color of the hang tags identical? Or does the red and yellow on the hang tag look muted or too light or too dark? The hang tag should be blue red and not orange red.
Check the tag dates and the addresses to make sure they are correct. Many of the counterfeits have the wrong date on the tush tag.
Compare the tags of the suspect Beanie Baby with the tags of another Ty Beanie Baby that you know to be authentic.
Is the type on the tags too light or too dark? Is it the right typeface?
Compare the tags to an authentic Ty Beanie Baby's tags and determine if the tags are smaller or larger than the authentic tags.
Compare the stock color inside the hang tag to another hang tag. Is it too white? Authentic tags have an off-white color.
Are the color of the hang tags identical? Or does the red and yellow on the hang tag look muted or too light or too dark? The hang tag should be blue red and not orange red.
8 Simple Tips for Taking Great Baby Photos
1) Avoid bright light - Babies are especially sensitive to bright light including harsh sunlight and flash photography. If possible, try to take photos during the day when flash photography is not necessary. You can also use lamps to create lighting.
2) Take pictures from different distances - Try to take pictures from different distances. Most people like to take close-up pictures, but pictures that are too close can be blurry and out of focus. By taking several pictures from different distances, you can keep the ones that are the best.
3) Be aware of your baby's mood - Try not to start a photo session when your baby is cranky or crying. If your baby is in a bad mood, then wait awhile until he or she is better rested or calmed. You will get better pictures when your baby is in good spirits.
4) Use a high quality camera and film - This tip may seem simple, but is worth saying. Using high quality cameras and film can make a big difference in the quality of the photo, especially if you are creating photo gifts or favors.
5) Get rid of any distractions - Make sure there are not too many distractions when taking pictures. Anything that moves or makes noise, like the TV, should be turned off is possible. Having too many people around can also be distracting for the baby.
6) Take multiple shots - Taking different shots is a good idea for any type of photography, particularly if you are making photo gifts. Sometimes it is hard to tell if a shot will turn out good until it is actually produced, so get those extra shots just in case.
7) Background - Make sure that there is not too much distracting stuff in the background. The focus should be on the baby, so plain backgrounds usually work best.
8) Other people - Try taking pictures of the baby with other people as well, including you. A baby will interact with other people and these interactions captured on film can make great keepsakes.
2) Take pictures from different distances - Try to take pictures from different distances. Most people like to take close-up pictures, but pictures that are too close can be blurry and out of focus. By taking several pictures from different distances, you can keep the ones that are the best.
3) Be aware of your baby's mood - Try not to start a photo session when your baby is cranky or crying. If your baby is in a bad mood, then wait awhile until he or she is better rested or calmed. You will get better pictures when your baby is in good spirits.
4) Use a high quality camera and film - This tip may seem simple, but is worth saying. Using high quality cameras and film can make a big difference in the quality of the photo, especially if you are creating photo gifts or favors.
5) Get rid of any distractions - Make sure there are not too many distractions when taking pictures. Anything that moves or makes noise, like the TV, should be turned off is possible. Having too many people around can also be distracting for the baby.
6) Take multiple shots - Taking different shots is a good idea for any type of photography, particularly if you are making photo gifts. Sometimes it is hard to tell if a shot will turn out good until it is actually produced, so get those extra shots just in case.
7) Background - Make sure that there is not too much distracting stuff in the background. The focus should be on the baby, so plain backgrounds usually work best.
8) Other people - Try taking pictures of the baby with other people as well, including you. A baby will interact with other people and these interactions captured on film can make great keepsakes.
4 Tips for Taking Great Baby Pictures - Even If You're No
When my daughter Layla was born I had a hard time putting the camera down. And apparently I wasn't the only one.
The cashier at the photo developing shop told me that new parents comprised a fairly sizable chunk of their business.
We can't help it! Babies are such beautiful creatures that you want to capture every new movement and every fleeting smile that comes along. (Even if that smile is attached to a smelly gas bubble!)
1) When taking pictures of babies lying on their backs, stand directly over them and shoot straight down.
I used to take a solid color baby blanket and place it on the floor in a bright, sun filled room. When I was ready to take a picture I would put Layla on the blanket, and adjust it around her, making sure not to put her directly in the sunlight.
2) Capture a range of emotions.
Smiling babies are cute. But so are crying babies and pouting babies and messy babies and sleeping babies.
Be sure to take pictures of your little one in all phases of his or her emotion filled life. You'll be amazed at how truly beautiful they are in non-traditional picture taking situations.
3) Make bath time picture time.
While there are some babies who don't like water, most love it. They often become very expressive in the bath tub - laughing, cooing and splashing. So bath time often becomes a great opportunity to capture a few precious shots of your little one.
4) If you use a disposable camera, choose a good one.
I purchased 3 dirt cheap disposable cameras before I had Layla. When we brought her home these were the ones we used for the first week of photo taking.
Boy was I disappointed! The pictures developed horribly. And as a new mommy with hormones still raging, you know how sad this made me. Those cuddly little moments can never be relived again.
The cashier at the photo developing shop told me that new parents comprised a fairly sizable chunk of their business.
We can't help it! Babies are such beautiful creatures that you want to capture every new movement and every fleeting smile that comes along. (Even if that smile is attached to a smelly gas bubble!)
1) When taking pictures of babies lying on their backs, stand directly over them and shoot straight down.
I used to take a solid color baby blanket and place it on the floor in a bright, sun filled room. When I was ready to take a picture I would put Layla on the blanket, and adjust it around her, making sure not to put her directly in the sunlight.
2) Capture a range of emotions.
Smiling babies are cute. But so are crying babies and pouting babies and messy babies and sleeping babies.
Be sure to take pictures of your little one in all phases of his or her emotion filled life. You'll be amazed at how truly beautiful they are in non-traditional picture taking situations.
3) Make bath time picture time.
While there are some babies who don't like water, most love it. They often become very expressive in the bath tub - laughing, cooing and splashing. So bath time often becomes a great opportunity to capture a few precious shots of your little one.
4) If you use a disposable camera, choose a good one.
I purchased 3 dirt cheap disposable cameras before I had Layla. When we brought her home these were the ones we used for the first week of photo taking.
Boy was I disappointed! The pictures developed horribly. And as a new mommy with hormones still raging, you know how sad this made me. Those cuddly little moments can never be relived again.
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