Running out of Room? Store Outgrown Baby Items in Storage

June 20th, 2012

So your oldest child is no longer a baby, so what are you supposed to do with all of the baby gear that you have? Most people choose to save the baby items so that they can use them for a future baby. Even if you are not planning on having any future children, you may have friends that want to use the baby items someday. Baby items are very expensive, so it is worthwhile for you to hang onto the items for the future. Unfortunately, many homes do not have the space needed to store all of the large baby items when they are not being used anymore. If this sounds like a situation that you are dealing with, you may want to consider storing all of the large baby items in a storage unit.

A storage unit is a great option for storing your large baby items because all of the items will stay safe until you need them again. Plus, you do not have to take up valuable space in your own garage to store all of the baby items.

There are many baby items that you may want to consider storing in a storage unit. One of the biggest items that you need to store is the baby crib. Baby cribs have a lot of components, including the crib mattress. When you are storing these items, you should make sure to put the mattress in a mattress bag. That way, it will be safe from any bugs that may be in the storage unit. It is also a good idea to wrap the frame of the crib in furniture wrap to help protect it from getting scratched. When packing up the crib, you should also wrap all of the screws up with the crib so that you can easily find them when you need them. You should do the same thing with the dresser and changing table. If you keep all of the components for each piece together, you will have a much easier time using them in the future.

Many babies also use swings and walkers that can take up a lot of space. These items often include fabric components, so you should make sure to wrap these items up in plastic as well. Since you do not know how long the items are going to be in storage, you want to make sure that they will still be in great condition when you need them again.

Casey Haslem writes often about storage and organization. If you’re in need of help with storage, contact Chicago self storage units or Sacramento Extra Space Storage.

Tags: baby storage
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Houseproofing For Baby: What You Need to Know

June 20th, 2012

Having a child is life’s best blessing, but we need to protect them from harm. Babies get injured frequently from living in a home that is not childproofed. Why would a baby decided to touch an outlet out of nowhere anyway? That is what many people think, but babies are unpredictable, and they do get into everything they can find. If your baby touched something dangerous that could harm them, you would never be able to forgive yourself. There are many ways we can protect them from things that they would otherwise get hurt with. Protect your babies.

The electrical outlet is one of the most common places to get baby proofed and can be done easily. If a baby touches an electrical outlet, their fingers could literally get fried off. This is a pretty scary situation, and you will be able to relax knowing they are safe with the right tools. All you need is to buy some baby locks that cover the outlet. Outlet covers can be bought at practically any big store like Wal-Mart. This will stop the baby from being shocked, and they will be less interested in it as well. You can let your baby crawl, and not have to worry about them getting hurt.

Children and young babies often get into the kitchen, and go for sprays such as bleach, carpet cleaner, and other toxic chemicals. These are one of the most common reasons for calls to poison control. When you have a baby, you can’t simply just leave these dangerous items in cabinets. You have to make sure they are either locked away with cabinet locks, or put up in a very high cabinet such as above the stove. Pills are another problem for babies in kitchens. I have experienced my children going through the kitchen sprays, and even had them spray carpet stain remover in their eyes. Kitchen safety is very important because it holds the most dangerous chemicals.

Once a baby starts to crawl, that is when baby proofing is extremely important. A crawling baby could fall down the stairs without a gate. Putting a gate over staircases and by the kitchen can stop the baby from a fall or getting into dangerous objects. You can buy gates at Wal-Mart, Target, or any baby store. Electrical plus, cabinet locks, baby gates, and just keeping things out of reach are the ultimate solution to keeping your children safe.

Haliegh Adams is a professional writer and a stay at home mom. She writes about topics such as cord blood banks, as well as general articles on health and wellness.

Tags: houseproofing
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Outdoor Baby Shower Planning

April 13th, 2012

With spring underway and summer approaching, a baby shower on the patio or in the backyard can be the perfect venue for a mom-to-be. Outdoor baby showers generally allow more space to spread out and enjoy each other’s company than an event stuffed in your dining room. And as an added perk, the outdoors add plenty of natural decorations to create a soothing environment for the new mommy and her friends.

Decide on a Theme

Boy or girl? Pink and yellow, or blue and green? How do you decide on a theme for a baby shower? For boys, a number of popular themes have been used in the past. They are classic themes, sure to delight any new parents:

Cars, trucks, and trains
Jungle theme
Monkeys
Under the sea
Cowboys
Blue baby feet
Teddy bears

Girls have as many or more options when it comes to baby shower themes. The following themes are also popular:

Princess theme
Ladybugs
Puppies and kittens theme
Pink bows and baby feet
Bunny theme
Pink and black zebra theme
Cowgirls
Flowers and gardens

If the baby’s gender is a surprise it may be a little more difficult to decide on a theme that is gender neutral and pleases the new mother’s taste. Non-gender-specific colors such as yellow, pale greens, orange, and red make it easy to create a color-based theme that doesn’t highlight any particular color (such as blue or pink) suggesting the baby’s sex. Also, since you are hosting it outside, a green or eco-friendly theme would be perfect for the venue. Also, having a green shower might generate some money-saving and baby-friendly ideas for the mother-to-be!

Clean up the Clutter

A week before the date of the shower, begin to prepare your house. A general cleaning both inside and out is needed. Even though the actual event will take place outside, guest will be using your home for restrooms and refreshments, and it’s important that the space feels clean and comfortable. Move furniture against the walls to make a clear path to the outdoors. Sheds can be invaluable for getting rid of outdoor clutter. Move superfluous furniture into the shed along with toys, gardening tools and anything else you think will distract from your shower’s theme.

Decorate the Yard

Set up long tables for food and gifts and cover them with color-coordinated tablecloths on a level area in your yard. If you are going with a natural theme, leave wood tables uncovered to blend into the outdoor setting. Place folding chairs and small tables in groups with enough seating for all the guests. Drape crepe streamers over low-hanging branches of trees and decorate the shed. Consider using potted plants as center pieces since the tables are set in a garden.

Keep your food refrigerated as long as possible. Set the party food up before hand on platters and serving trays and secure tightly with plastic wrap. Consider choosing chilled foods like fruit trays, cold finger sandwiches and fresh lemonade. The cool foods will be perfect for warmer weather and reminiscent of a picnic. As guests arrive, bring out the food along with serving implements. Be sure to cover and store food again after people have finished eating to avoid flies and food poisoning.

Planning a baby shower indoors or out takes time, but it is well worth the effort. Capture the happiness of the new mommy with plenty of pictures. Guests will remember the effort you put in to create a pleasant and enjoyable baby shower.

Holly is an Indianapolis native who blogs on behalf of Sears and other brands she trusts. She enjoys playing soccer and baking treats for her friends and coworkers.

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How to Choose a Kid Costume?

April 13th, 2012

Each baby is a God-given gift. Long time before he/she is born, parents-to-be have begun to think about many things, including finding suitable milk powder, a comfortable buggy or pushchair, buying costumes etc. And for sure, these little angels deserve the best care. Now, if you are hunting for some key points on choosing kids’ costumes, you may find below tips effective :D.

Tip 1: Make sure your kid’s costumes won’t fade.

This especially makes sense on infants or babies that are under two years. At this time, babies’ skin is rather tender and thin. Basic function of skin protection has not been formed. But absorptive power of their skin is rather strong. Chemical elements in their clothes will be easily absorbed. Undoubtedly, this will vastly hurt their skin. What’s more, if the kid’s skin doesn’t have a strong resistance, it’s very likely to cause psoriasis or other diseases. So, remember to check whether the cloth fades or not. Or choose light-colored costumes directly. Clothes that fade slightly won’t fade if soaked in saline water before washing.

Tip 2: ill-fitting costumes shouldn’t be chosen.

It¡¯s a must to choose a suitable costume for your kid. A too loose or too tight costume will be a no-no. Their bodies grow in a rather fast speed. If the costume is too tight, it will undoubtedly constrain their physical development and also cause most inconvenience to their walking. So, while choosing trousers, remember to check the elasticity of the waist first of all.

Tip 3: pure cotton or largely cotton costumes are better for kids.

Generally speaking, kids’ costumes should be made from cloth with a high content of cotton. This material allows a fluent air circulation inside the clothes and absorbs sweat effectively. Besides, it doesn’t stimulate the skin. However, cotton costumes often tend to fade. So, it’s necessary to choose light-colored costumes and pay attention to the washing methods.

Tip 4: make sure your kid’s costume doesn’t carry any unfavorable or strange smell.

This is of great importance because most costumes on the current market carry excessive formaldehyde. This matter brings a big hurt to kids. And smell of it can be always detected on new clothes. Just remember to take a smell.

Tip 5: wash the costume before putting it on.

A newly bought costume must be washed before being put on. This is because new clothes will get in touch with many germs, pollutants etc during the manufacturing and selling process. Those elements are absolutely disadvantageous for kids. So, wash it to eliminate formaldehyde or PH out of limits on the costume. This will be of crucial significance.

Tip 6: check any label on the costume.

This is the most direct way to check whether a kid costume is qualified or not. Why not use?

Tip 7: remove any trademark on the costume.

Trademarks sewn inside some crevices may be rather hard. Remove them before putting on the costume. Otherwise, they may scratch your kid’s tender skin!

Tip 8: choose costumes with fewer accessories.

Babies don’t have strong self-protection awareness. Too many embellishments like zipper, metal sequins etc may cause a hurt to kids on the contrary.

Author Bio: Katherine writes for Miccostumes.com. She is a devotee for fantastic costumes. On her blog, useful DIY tips and funny information in the cosplay world can be seen.

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Preparing a Baby Shower Menu Everyone Enjoys

March 26th, 2012

Planning a baby shower has a surprising number of factors to consider, from entertaining your guests to the food you’ll serve. To keep things simple but still delicious, consider a finger-food party. Fork-free options make things easier on the host or hostess (especially if it’s you).

Choose items that can be prepared in advance. The last thing you want to do is have to cook a range of foods the morning of the shower. Don’t resign yourself to serving only cold snacks. Crockpots and microwaves allow you to warm up pre-cooked food with minimal fuss.

Plan a range of flavors for the foods so everyone’s taste buds will be tantalized. Aim for savory, spicy and sweet, such as the following:

Buffalo chicken bites

Prepare and set aside in their own containers the following:

• Four beaten eggs
• Three cups of cornflakes
• One cup of flour

Cook and shred enough chicken to make three cups. Combine in a large bowl:

• Cooked chicken
• 4 oz. softened cream cheese
• 1 ¾ cups shredded cheese (sharp cheddar works well)
• ¼ cup hot sauce of your choice (increase you want more spice)
• ¼ cup green onion, chopped

Roll this mixture into several 1½-inch balls (about the size of a golf ball). Roll each one in the flour, coat in egg and roll in the cornflakes. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in a preheated 350-degree oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the outside is crispy and brown. Serve with ranch or bleu cheese dressing as a dipping sauce.

Cake balls

Cake balls are simple to make and look great. Served cold, they can be made ahead of time. Prepare a cake mix in the flavor of your choice. Bake. Crumble cooled cake in a bowl and mix in a frosting of your choice (chocolate, cream cheese or buttercream frosting all work well). Form into 1-inch balls and place in the freezer. Once frozen, dip into melted bark coating and refrigerate until party time.

Hummus

This dip is great for everyone from omnivores to vegans. Making your own hummus is very simple. Get out a blender and add:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic (more or less according to your tastes)
• 1 can of chickpeas (you can also buy them dried and soak them)
• ½ teaspoon each of black pepper, paprika and cumin
• Juice and zest of ½ lemon

Blend until you have a consistency you like, adding water or lemon juice to thin. Serve with raw veggies or pita bread.

Voila! You’ve got a few ideas for foods to serve at a baby shower, none of which should leave you feeling stressed out. Save your energy for socializing and playing games with party guests!

Holly is an Indianapolis native who blogs on behalf of Sears and other brands she trusts. She enjoys playing soccer and baking treats for her friends and coworkers.

Tags: appetizer recipes, baby shower menu
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Budgeting for Baby

March 6th, 2012

By the time you’re reading this, the chances are pretty good that you have seen Google’s latest assault on the world’s heartstrings:

The Chrome YouTube channel shows that this has been watched at least 104 million times, which equates to just shy of a billion tears cried.

The video illustrates the joys and pains of parenthood and pulls tears from the driest eyes, because it focuses on the human element of parenting.

When it comes to budgeting for a baby, I’m certainly talking about ways to sharpen your coupon acumen to save money. I’m also talking about mining your friends-circle to get secondhand car seats and strollers. There is the obvious financial side to budgeting for a baby and I’ll get to that.

The aspect of budgeting for a new addition that doesn’t often get talked about – especially among parents expecting their first child – is the budgeting of things more abstract than finances. Time, patience, easy love, tough love; these are all the things you will have to learn to dole out at the right times in order to make the unfathomably difficult job of “child rearing” easier for yourself. Just keep that in mind. That said, let’s talk about budgeting!

Coupons

Sure. Of course. This is a no-brainer. We live in the post-Extreme Couponing world and the once clandestine ritual of clipping on the dotted line has reached the mainstream in the wake of global financial downturn. What you may not be aware of are the ways in which couponing has evolved. It’s not just a matter of waiting for one-ads in the mail and culling the best deals. You can find pages on pages of online coupons; they are often printable and can be applied from anything to Chuck E. Cheese to groceries. There are online coupon sites that run lightning promotions wherein you can save substantially more than 10 cents here and $1 there. Manufacturer coupons can be found on third-party sites, but you’ll have better luck actually visiting a brand’s social media presence because they attract and maintain their audiences by offering deals and coupons at their stores.

Budget Calendar

This will tickle organizers pink and bring others to their knees in agony. Parenting is spontaneous, but when you have a chance to think in advance, you must carpe diem! Creating a ballpark estimate for the basic costs of your child’s life is helpful and will give you something to work toward so that you’re not caught completely off guard by the costs of food, daycare and paper towels to clean up vomit. There are template estimates for how much babies cost at different ages. You can use these as an outline and modify them to fit your needs.

Personal Time

If you haven’t gotten the memo, a baby is essentially the greatest time sink known to man. That’s right, even more than World of Warcraft or fantasy football. It’s not uncommon for new parents to begin to hate the furious, terrifying cries of a newborn. Some say the first few years of taking care of a baby has killed a part of them: the weak part. It’s important to take a break when you can and budget time for yourself. Schedule a cheap massage at the mall. Go paintballing with other high-strung parents. Any relief you can get from the stress of a newborn is yours to take. I have found noting more beneficial than making time for myself.

Budgeting is an unending game of checks and balances, but done right it can alleviate the stress that comes with molding a perfect human citizen and help you focus on the best parts of parenting, like Daniel Lee.

Tags: budgeting for baby
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DIY baby shower favors

January 23rd, 2012

When it comes to baby showers, the sky is the limit for party favors. You might be planning a themed event for the parents-to-be that centers around a favorite cartoon or decorating with a traditional color like pink or blue. Whatever you choose, you can keep your decorating costs low by making your own favors. Try one or more of these ideas on for size.

1. Lollipop cookies

Easy to make and a tasty treat for your guests, lollipop cookies can be decorated any way you’d like. Simply mix up a batch of cookie dough (find out beforehand what the parents-to-be’s favorite cookie flavor is), cut into shapes with cookie cutters (you can make your own if you have the time and inclination), and skewer before baking with a cookie stick (available at kitchen-supply or craft stores; soak before using so they don’t burn in the oven). Once the cookies are done, decorate however you’d like. You can write the baby’s name in icing if the parents have already chosen it, congratulatory messages, or something simple and cheery like happy faces. Once the cookies are completely cooled, wrap them in plastic wrap or tissue paper and tie with ribbon or yarn.

2. Diaper cakes

Diaper cakes make a great centerpiece at a baby shower and can include party favors for your guests, as well as gifts for the mom or parents-to-be. The ‘cake’ is made from disposable or cloth diapers and can be assembled atop a piece of wood, cardboard, or platter of your choice. Using a workbench for this type of gift will give you the space to assemble and will be a great catch-all if your project includes the use of glitter or other materials you don’t want scattered across your living room. Add special details like pacifiers, bibs, or rattles, and fill the center of the cake with a special treat, such as sparkling grape juice or champagne to toast baby’s arrival, or other gifts you know the parents will appreciate.

3. Jellybean-filled baby bottles

Miniature baby bottles filled with treats make great baby shower favors. Give guests something to snack on while gifts are being opened or a nice treat they can take with them for later. Bottles can be filled with pink or blue jellybeans, a mix of the two colors if the mother-to-be is expecting boy/girl twins, another color entirely like lime green or yellow to match a party’s décor, or popcorn-flavored jellybeans that will complement an “about to pop” theme.

No matter what you choose to make for an upcoming baby shower, know that it can be both fun and practical for the soon-to-be-parents. Put your DIY skills to use and create some “awww!”-inspiring favors that guests and the parents-to-be will enjoy long after baby arrives.
Holly is an Indianapolis native who enjoys soccer and blogging on behalf of Sears and other brands she uses. She loves using her workbench for a range of creative projects, including repotting plants and painting with watercolors.

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Keep-Up the Innocent Smile of your Babies Intact

January 21st, 2012

Do you have a cute little baby, who giggles holding the tip of your finger in his or her little grip? Do you want to welcome him or her in your life in a special way? Well, then you might be planning for arranging a special christening party for your baby. However, have you planned special christening gifts for your baby? Yes, only a perfect baby gift can make the celebration of christening wonderful for your baby.

Well, the little bundle of joys might not understand the value of the gifts at this innocent stage of their life, but the little hearts can catch the frequency of love that you convey buying special christening gifts for them. If you are in a fix about what to buy for your baby, here is a list of baby gifts to help you pick the best gift for your baby.

A beautiful room as a special gift for your baby

In this situation, special christening gifts for your baby will be his or her own room. Yes, this is the right time to decorate your baby’s room as you want. Choose bright colors to paint the walls, print cartoons on it, and make it as attractive as you can. The little eyes of the baby will surely catch the glitters around him or her, and it will bring sweet smile in his or her face.

Gifts for caring your baby in a better way

Since your baby is really delicate, you must take care of him or her in a proper way.

Go for buying a skin care product kit for your baby, so that his or her skin can stay as smooth as it is. It will be a special baby gift for your baby.

There are different baby care products available in the market, which comes in special gift kits comprising a lotion, powder, shampoo, oil, and cream especially meant for the babies. This gift will make your baby glow and smile in a better way.

If you are buying warm clothes or baby beddings as christening gifts, never compromise with the quality, because your baby needs extra care from you.

Gifts for your little angle and baby boys

Soft toys
Teddy bears
Silver food set with his or her name engraved
Small jewelries, like: pendants, bracelets
Pink photo frames to decorate his or her room
Baby keepsake albums to keep the precious memories of the childhood intact

Since, your baby is special for you, go for buying these special christening gifts for him or her, because they deserve to get the best in life.

Tags: baby gifts
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Kids Who Drink and Drive May Blame It on Their Parents

January 17th, 2012

Teenagers do crazy things that may on occasions jeopardize their life. Drinking and driving is probably the most foolish type of behavior that unfortunately both adults and teenagers get involved in.

Is it stupidity or machismo that affects the rational safety decisions of teens? Science may have another type of explanation. A new study ordered by the US government may as well have the answer about drinking and driving in teens.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found out that the children of parents who have a history of drinking and than getting behind the wheel are very likely to repeat the mistakes of their parents.

Yet again, studies confirm that children mimic their parents and use them as role models. The new study sums up results on the basis of 67,500 people questioned. About 18 percent of the teens whose moms drink or use drugs before driving have done the same.

Only 11 percent of the teens whose parents were uninvolved in risky driving committed the mistake of drinking alcohol and getting in the car. According to the study, the behavior of fathers is even more influential, since 21.4 percent of the teens whose fathers drink and drive have committed the same dangerous mistake.

The fact that parents act as a role model is easy to understand, even in the case of troubled families. Though teenagers tend to be quite rebellious, they look up to mom and dad in unfamiliar situations that they have no experience handling.

Irresponsible parent behavior may cost the life of a child and the sad news is that many adults fail understanding the fact. Some parents probably do not even care, yet the statistics are there to show what their behavior is capable of accomplishing.

Drunk driving is the main reason for so many deaths and accidents on the road. As a parent, you are responsible for your own health and the well-being of family members. This involves both physical actions and acting as a role model for your children.

The sad statistics show that car crashes are the leading cause of teen death in the US. Figures are shocking – eight teenagers died in a vehicle crash on a daily basis in 2009. Do the math and you will get a quite disturbing annual number.

In addition, teenagers lack the experience of older drivers. Their reactions may be illogical and they will have difficulties assessing the situation properly. This fact alone is a sufficient reason for car accidents. Adding drunk driving to the equation makes the situation even more troublesome.

As a mom or a dad you want the best for your child. Teaching the kid right from wrong is one side of the story. Being a role model and teaching be example is a separate story. Be responsible when getting in the car to drive somewhere. Even if your child acts tough and uninterested, you are the person to be looked upon as a model. This role is hugely important, accept it carefully and cautiously.

Tags: drink and drive, driving
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To Work or to be a Stay at Home Mom – What do the Experts Say?

January 12th, 2012

You have given birth to a wonderful baby and you want to spend a lot of precious moments in the company of your child. Each mom will have to make an important decision about the road she is going to take from that point on.

One of the options you have is to be a stay at home mom. For many ladies, this opportunity holds special appeal. You will get the chance to take care of your family without having to deal with office-related problems, project deadlines and large amounts of pressure.

Many women, however, are either financially obliged to continue working or loving their career. This option allows for professional growth but it minimizes the amount of time spent with family.

Should you be a stay at home mom or should you continue working after your child is born? A new study may offer some useful insight that will help you take the right decision.

According to the study, working moms tend to be healthier than stay at home moms. They also show fewer signs of depression. At the same time, study findings conclude that moms working part-time are the happiest ones.

Moms that have full-time jobs experience significant difficulties connected to balancing their professional and personal lives. The study was presented in December 2011 and it appeared in the Journal of Family Psychology.

The ladies that went back to work after the birth of their child turned out to be much healthier than stay at home moms. In addition, being a part-time worker made those moms more sensitive towards the experiences and needs of their children.

Part-time working moms provided their kids with better learning opportunities. They were more involved in the children’s upbringing than the stay at home moms, as paradoxical as the statement sounds. Moms who worked full-time experienced difficulties connected to spending quality time with their children and being fully involved in the educational processes.

This is just another piece of information that can help you make an exceptionally difficult life decision.

According to statistics from several years ago, the number of stay at home moms is increasing. The desire to be a good mom combined with the financial crisis, making many ladies abandon their career.

The desire for personal fulfillment clashes with every lady’s intrinsic desire to take the best possible care of children. Whether stay at home moms are less healthier than working moms is probably a factor that will have little influence over the decision of ladies. Still, the study provides some useful and intriguing pieces of information.

According to it, a road in the middle of the two traditional opportunities is the best one. A part-time job will contribute to the family budget. At the same time, it will provide a lady with a sufficient amount of time available for taking care of her family.

What do you think about it? How did you choose between spending more time with your child and going back to work? Was it an easy decision to make and are you happy with the results?

Tags: child care, stay at home mom, work
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