Wee Baby Stuff

Why you're singing Old McDonald for the millionth time...

It's not something you can buy but it's the most important thing you can do for your baby. Check out this video (it's a tiny bit heartrending, but it turns out OK) about the effects of interacting with your baby or not. It's obvious stuff, but it's encouraging to have something positive to think about when I'm feeling silly about pulling faces in public or playing YET ANOTHER game of peekaboo in the checkout line...

NoseFrida The Snotsucker

I remember when my nieces were little and their mother would come at them with a tissue. They would turn their heads as she approached, squirming as she zeroed in on the snot zone. "Blow," she commanded, "or I'll get the aspirator." That threat was all it took for them to take a breath and expel any accumulating mucus. I thought of that story when I came across this little gem: Nosefrida The Snotsucker,...

The Lolaloo: Getting Jiggle-y with It

Parents are brilliant inventors. And they deserve a boatload of credit, because some of the most incredible creations come out of total sleep deprivation, and a motivation to make it all better. Months ago, the Lolaloo would have been a lifesaver in our home. It would have made eating breakfast, sending an e-mail, taking a shower, and brushing my teeth possible (the latter two being absolutely important).The Lolaloo is a little device that attaches to...

10 Nursery Decorating Tips

The pros over at HGTV share 10 very interesting nursery decorating tips. I love the idea of adding a daybed to baby's room for YOU to use on those nights kiddo is under the weather; it can also serve as a comfy place to nurse. Note the storage baskets under this example: For the other 9 tips, follow this link to HGTV.

The coloring placemat!

Ah, the family-oriented restaurant. Notable for their sticky booster seats, frazzled staff, deafening noise levels AND paper placemats that come with crayons for your coloring amusement. I LOVE those things. Seriously. I think they should have them in ALL restaurants. Bars too. What I'm saying is placemats you can color in - YAY! So I figured out a way to bring the fun home. I was inspired by these fellows, they are $30 a pop...

Make a paper mache boat for your little sailor!

Ann Wood's paper mache boats would be a perfect item to add to any little boy or girl's room. Made of readily-available materials, including a large cereal box. Yes...under that cuteness is a big, yellow Cheerio box! Here's the rest of what you'll need to make one: Ann's pattern, which you can download here large cereal box scissors scotch tape ruler exacto knife newspaper- 2 colors wall paper paste paint brushes paint skewers. dowels or...

Make Martha's Sweet Bird Mobile

Last season Martha kicked off her Baby Shower Show with a tutorial on how to make this sweet bird mobile. A breath of spring and charming too, it would be a lovely addition to any nursery. Here's the supply list: Bird template Heavyweight paper Craft knife Screw punch White glue Embroidery floss 1/8-inch armature wire Wire clippers Brown floral tape Pink and green card stock Flower craft punch Leaf craft punch Hot-glue gun and hot-glue...

The Top 10 Toys for Baby's First Year

Bruno and I are now officially the parents of a 13-month-old. We made it through Ayla's first year, and on her birthday we searched for the perfect present, a doll that she now hugs and totes around the house. It's heartmelting. Deciding what to get our dear darling for her first birthday brought to mind the toys we carefully chose during her first year of life. Surprisingly, finding the right toys for your tiny one...

How to Sew Cloth Diapers (that act like disposables)

I came across this fabulous video today that shows the entire process of sewing cloth diapers. Not only is the video great, it also includes a link to the pattern and some startling statistics about disposable diapers. So how do these DIY cloth diapers act like disposables? They have that nice tight fit around the legs! Make some and save lots of money for baby's college fund AND save the planet for baby to enjoy...

How to Turn a Grownup Sweater into a Boy's Sweater Vest

Dana took a man's sweater and downsized it into the cutest little boy's sweater ever. She tells us that a beginner can easily do this project with just a few supplies. They include: a man or woman's sweater 1/4 yard knit ribbing iron & ironing board thread, scissors, etc. sewing machine kid sized vest to use as a pattern To see the entire tutorial, head on over to Dana Made It. Via.

Nursery: Before and After

The previous owners of this home allowed their children to paint their names all over the walls. I'm guessing, after all their hard work, the NEW owners will not be encouraging such behavior. After the room was primed and painted, the installed a chair rail, crown moldings and a ceiling fan. They also replaced the door, window casings and baseboards. The only thing left untouched was the laminate flooring. In all, they're estimate for...

10 Shockingly Unhealthy Kids Foods

Wallet Pop sat down with registered dietician Susan Burke March, author of Making Weight Control Second Nature: Living Thin Naturally, to get the 411 on so-called, store-bought, healthy kid foods. Here's what's on Ms. March's naughty list: kids' yogurt instant oatmeal fruit juice kids' restaurant meals fish sticks peanut butter rice cakes breakfast bars fruit roll-ups fat free foods To read why these 10 made the list and BETTER OPTIONS for each, follow this link...

Here is The adorable Giraffe shirt again

Here is the adorable giraffe t-shirt again. This time it is on an actual model. It looks even cuter now.

How to Make Wallpaper Decals

These DIY wall decals would be a PERFECT way to add some interest to baby's room without the commitment or the hassle. Apartment Therapy was inspired to go the DIY route when spying vintage wallpaper decals at Romp. Here's a list of materials you'll need to make some: Wallpaper remnants or free sample books Pencil and/or SharpieExacto knife and cutting boardScissorsAleene’s Tacky GlueModge Podge and poster board, optionalFoam brush and small containerDry soft cloth Follow this link...

Rockin' Prenatal Tummy Stereo

The RITMO Prenatal Musical System ($100) delivers all the benefits of music (aka the Mozart Effect) in utero safely and comfortably. Anything mommy listens to on her MP3, she can share with her baby. Once set to a sound level of mommy's choosing, the RITMO adjust accordingly to deliver the tunes to the wee one. For more information and to order, visit Think Geek.

Another Adorable T-Shirt From Poppa and I.com

Here is another cute T-shirt from Poppa And I.com, this one is a little edgier but still very cute. They offer this one in 6M,12M,18M,24M, AND 2T THRU 5T.