I haven’t blogged in a while. Lily, my sweet tiny newborn baby, is almost two years old. It seems like yesterday she was sleeping in her bouncer while I uploaded all the beautiful pictures of her to this blog for family and friends to coo over. It is so funny how time flies and everything that can happen in two years. We are living near Los Angeles now – moved here from San Diego. Stan has two semesters left at law school and I am working from home and taking …

It seems like you just brought your baby home and she is already growing out of the newborn clothing. Where do these articles of clothes end up? In a grocery bag on the floor? In a pile at the bottom of the basement stairs? Our little ones are going to grow out of everything you put on their little bodies and faster than you can wrestle a wiggly arm into a sleeve. Being the miserly smart parents we are, do you have a plan for those to little clothes?
5 ways …

My dad died a long time ago,  long before I had children. Yet, among other things, we are still bound by a book. It’s a hardcover edition of Mark Twain’s short stories. My dad bought it when I was a toddler and gave it to me the night before I got married, telling me that Twain’s humor and wisdom would come in handy in the years ahead. It did, and it still does.
When you share a book with someone it’s as if you’re saying “I value what’s in …

Wow. I thought I’d heard it all in terms of natural childbirth and all the baby and mom friendly options we pregnant mamas have to think about. In pregnancies past I’ve taken Bradley Method Classes, Hypno Birthing Classes, read Birthing From Within and done prenatal yoga all second and third trimesters long. I’ve used birthing balls, water and birthing bars to help my kids enter the word drug free. My husband was on the receiving end of my first two deliveries. I held each baby on my belly even as …

If you are or have been pregnant, odds are you know what I’m talking about. Over 50% of pregnant women suffer (and I mean suffer!!!) from these horrible, jaw clenching seizures in the muscles of the legs, usually in the calves, and (for me anyway) the sneaky little devils like to strike in the middle of the night.
I started getting them every other night around 2a.m.  about two weeks ago. One was so bad it lasted into the next day and had me limping… considering a cane or a crutch …

If you start baby travel slowly and plan wisely, both you and baby will enjoy first-class comfort. Begin with baby steps and you’ll find that soon you and your little one will be able to walk, ride, or fly in the fast lane.
Day Trips
Introduce baby to travel starting with a few day-trips to a local relative or friend. Basic equipment will be a packed diaper bag, a stroller or pram (if you’ll spend some time outdoors), and a car seat. Most modern car seats easily detach and convert into a …

Great baby shower decorations are more about using your imagination than your pocketbook! You can create a wonderful party mood with simple, high-impact arrangements. This article details some of the best ideas for baby shower decorations.
Use balloons artfully
Balloons make it feel like a party! Always have balloons at your events. Here’s a money-saver tip – your local 99¢ store will usually have balloons at a much lower price than most party stores.
A basic use of balloons is to create color spots around the room or area where you’re holding the …

The first week of your baby’s life brings big adjustments for both of you. You are adjusting to being a mother and caring for your baby and your baby is adjusting to life outside the womb. It is a time of great joy – and possibly immense fear! Although you’ve been preparing for the birth of your baby for months, now he is here and depending on you for everything which can seem overwhelming. Don’t expect too much of yourself during these first days! If anyone offers you help – …

Growth charts are tools your pediatrician can use to keep track of your child’s physical growth. During each checkup, the doctor will measure your baby’s length, weight, and head circumference. The doctor can then compare the measurements for your baby to a chart of national averages for infants of the same age and sex.
The result is that the doctor will be able to tell you what percentile your baby is in when compared to average baby growth around the nation. For example, if your doctor tells you your 4-month-old is …

There are many easy crafts that you can do with your toddler this Christmas. You can find Toddler Christmas Crafts and Kits on Amazon. And below are a bunch of ideas from snow globes to ornaments. Christmas crafts with toddlers is a fun way to get into the spirit and create unique décor that will be around for years to come.
Free Toddler Christmas Crafts Ideas:
Holiday Card Prints
Letting your toddler sign this year’s holiday cards in a unique way will spice up holiday greeting cards and get them involved in sending …

Childbirth classes can be a helpful and informative step for new parents. A detailed knowledge of pregnancy and delivery is helpful for both the expectant mother and father because there is comfort in knowing what the future holds and having the resources handy to make it as easy as possible.
Childbirth Class Locations
Childbirth Classes are often held at your local hospital. You can contact your local hospital or doctors office to get information on locations and times.
Online Childbirth classes are a great alternative for busy parents-to-be. They offer the flexibility and …

The Baby Einstein Takealong Tunes toy is a great purchase and for only $10 you can’t beat it! The weight and size is just right for a baby or infant. The sound quality is good and it doesn’t have that electronic sound that some music toys have. It has two volume settings, neither of which are too loud. It has multiple songs and doesn’t get annoying. It also lights up to the beat of the music. The battery life is great. The thick handle makes it easy for small hands.
We …

To follow up to the article on homemade, natural deodorant, we will be talking about homemade, natural toothpaste recipes. Below are several recipes that can replace your current toothpaste. There are many reasons why it is important to avoid the use of popular store bought tooth pastes. I won’t go into detail on that topic in this post. You can read this article for a detailed (and slightly scary) summary of toothpaste.
The ingredients in a natural toothpaste recipe are personal choice depending on the strength and flavors you prefer. At …

Recipe for Homemade, Natural Deodorant – Non toxic and effective!
Ingredients:

Baking Soda – For Odor Control
CornStarch – For Wetness Control
Coconut Oil – For a pleasant scent, antibacterial properties, and a great medium to combine baking soda and cornstarch.

Combine equal parts baking soda and cornstarch. Using a fork or spoon mash in coconut oil until you achieve the desired consistency. You will probably end up using the following: 5 Tbsp Coconut oil, 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup cornstarch.
You can use empty deodorant containers to give your homemade deodorant …