Category Archives: Baby

Steal This Look: babymoon getaway ideas

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Babymoon, The Last Hurrah…

Sippy cups, bibs and sleepless nights are right around the corner. The second trimester is probably the last time expecting parents will have to take a trip together. A babymoon can be a great opportunity for parents-to-be to focus on their relationship, reconnect as a couple before entering into parenthood and simply relax. Squeeze in as much couple time as you can before junior makes his grand entrance. Here’s just one hotel that offers a babymoon promotion…

WHERE The Westin Resort & Spa, Los Cabos
WHY A celebrated rendition of the Arch in Cabo San Lucas and nestled into the cliffs overlooking the intensely blue Sea of Cortéz, this strikingly imagined resort offers both architectural majesty and a supremely relaxing vacation. The Westin offers couples one last romantic hurrah before the big arrival.
WHAT YOU GET An inviting welcome amenity including sparkling cider and chocolate covered strawberries, an energizing breakfast in bed everyday, one in-room movie per night and a $15 minibar credit per night.
{ westin.com }

STEAL THIS LOOK
Though redecorating your house is probably the last thing on your mind, you will probably pick up some decorating ideas while you stay at any of these stylish hotels. Make a mental note of what you like for when you’re ready to recreate the look in your own home.

The Westin

The Lounge Comfortable yet subdued in palette, the hotel’s lobby is decorated with oversized armchairs to create a swanky ambiance.
The Danity chair by Klaussner Furniture shows how it’s suppose to be done by being sophisticated yet stylish. High fashion mixed with comfort, the Danity collection fills any room with a look that makes your guest want to relax in style. The bench seat and multi pillow backs are filled with down blend and offer the plushness anyone would desire.

The Lobby The heart of the hotel is its airy and comfortable lobby, where guests relax as if they were in their own living room thanks to plush sofas and ottomans.
The Cartagena modular outdoor set from Zuo is the perfect solution for your patio or terrace. The weave is a UV treated synthetic with a reinforced interior aluminum tube frame. This curvaceous collection has looks and comfort.

The Bedroom Marble floors grace a large parlor with a comfortable seating area facing a wall of glass overlooking the ocean that opens to an enormous balcony with private lounge chairs. The sleek master bedroom is furnished with a king bed and a variety of handmade ceramics and other original artwork.
The Stanley Hudson Street Panel Bed is constructed of maple solids with walnut veneers. Stately in appearance and suggesting refined urban living, the bed imbues a sophisticated charm upon any bedroom. Finial-adorned round bed posts brace a solid hardwood headboard and footboard that feature slat detailing, while an intricately carved oval wood grill across the width of the headboard is the bed’s most distinguishing feature and one that provides strong visual appeal.

Babymoon 101
WHEN TO GO During the second trimester you’ll be feeling less queasy, less lethargic and less huge. Plus, chances are your libido will also be cooperating.
WHERE TO GO Far away and exotic might not be the best idea. Being on a plane for more than four hours can be tough on the best of situations and particularly so on a preggo body. Plus this is not the time to deal with vaccines.
DESTINATION It should go without saying that the whole point of this trip it to relax. So do without an urban getaway where the focus is on cultural offerings (read, lots of walking and getting in and out of taxis). If your second semester happens to be during the winter months, a beach getaway could be a great treat. In fall, a New England B&B ain’t bad.
WHAT’S UP DOC Before booking your ticket, tell your doctor of your plans. Mention where you’re going (i.e. if your trip is on a Caribbean island, do you know what types of fish you should avoid?), what you’ll be doing (is snorkeling OK?), how long your flight is (what in-flight exercises are recommended?).

SPEAK UP Are you planning a last getaway before baby arrives? Or have you been on a babymoon? What what the destination? We’d love to hear about your babymoon experience or planning.

Sick & Tired

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How To: Treating Kids’ Ailments with Natural Remedies

Ahh, summer, a time when kids (and adults) get bitten by bugs at the picnic, get car sick on the family vacation, get tummy aches when trying new foods and other not so pleasant surprises. But don’t reach for that over-the-counter medication just yet. Natural remedies for your kids are all around you–all you have to do is know where to look.

Plus, check out some suggestions of products for the kitchen, bathroom and more.

The Kitchen Pantry
Best Pantry AILMENT Bug bite
SOLUTION Baking Soda
WHAT TO DO To alleviate the itching, mix a teaspoon of baking soda with just enough water to make a thick paste. Smear it on the bug bites and let it dry.
WHY IT WORKS The alkaline baking soda helps counteract the acidic swelling.

AILMENT Sore Throat
SOLUTION Honey and lemon
WHAT TO DO Mix together a tablespoon of each, microwave for 15-20 seconds until warm (not hot) and have your child swallow the mixture one teaspoon at a time.
WHY IT WORKS Lemon dries up congestion and honey provides a soothing coating.

Kettle AILMENT Colic
SOLUTION Chamomile tea
WHAT TO DO Steep tea for five minutes, let it cool to room temperature and then put one to two ounces in a bottle.
WHY IT WORKS Chamomile relaxes intestinal muscles.

Need more storage space in the kitchen? Check out these affordable pantries.

The Bedroom Dresser
AILMENT Neck or tummy pain
SOLUTION A sock
WHAT TO DO Fill a sock with uncooked rice and tie it closed with a string. Heat in the microwave for one minute or until warm and place wherever there is pain.
Update your bedroom with a new dresser.

The Bathroom
AILMENT Swimmer’s Ear
SOLUTION A blowdryer
WHAT TO DO Mild cases of swimmer’s ear occur when inflammation of the outer ear traps liquid and possibly bacteria. To treat it, try evaporating the trapped water by aiming the blow dryer at your child’s ear from a foot away. Make sure the setting is on warm, not hot.
Check out our selection of hair blowers.

Best Stainless Steel Fridge The Refrigerator
AILMENT Car sickness
SOLUTION Ginger
WHAT TO DO For children ages two and older, add a teaspoon of shredded fresh ginger to four ounces of boiling water and let it steep for 4-5 minutes. To make it taste better, add honey. Give to your child half an hour before getting in the car.
Give your kitchen a facelift with a new fridge.

Summer Purse Your Purse
AILMENT Indigestion
SOLUTION Stick of gum
WHAT TO DO For children four or older who complain of a full stomach, offer a sugar-free stick of gum to chew on.
WHY IT WORKS The extra saliva your child produces will neutralize the excess stomach acid that is causing the problem.
Update your wardrobe with a new handbag for summer.

SPEAK UP What natural remedies do you rely on?

Have Kid, Will Travel

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Travel Survival Kit: Activity Ideas to Keep Your Kids Entertained

You know the look. You used to give it to the mom with the screaming kid in her arms as she boarded the plane. Now you’re the one getting the please-not-next-to-me look. But having a baby or toddler doesn’t mean your traveling days are over. With just a little preparation you can combat road fatigue and are-we-there-yet syndrome. All you need is a travel survival kit.

Arts & Crafts
Notebook Amazing how far some white sheets of paper and colored pencils can go. Give your kids a theme, say an African Safari, and watch them fill up those pages faster than you can say bathroom break.
Postcards Stock up on local destination and prestamped cards and have your kids write to their friends, grandparents or, heck, to themselves.
Doodling Etch a Sketch, Dry-erase board. You’ll be there before they get bored playing with these.

Activities
Best Music Gift Set Make Some Music Tired of singing Wheels on the Bus on every car trip. Let your little munchkin come up with his own song with the Schoenhut Toy Piano Musical Gift Bag.
Books on Tape Get dizzy reading in a moving vehicle? That’s why they invented books on tapes… and to give you a break from reading Harry Potter or The Chronicles of Narnia to your kid for the 15th time.
Baby CD When baby’s ready for nap time (we know you are), pop in a CD like Baby Go to Sleep, which features traditional lullabies with a heartbeat rhythm to calm crying babies.
Teddy Bear Toys Buy a bunch of small, inexpensive trinkets and toys and wrap them in colorful or funky paper (the funny pages will also work). Not only will it take your kid a while to unwrap the “treasure” but it will also feel like a birthday every few miles. If all else fails, make sure you bring baby’s favorite teddy. This Melodies Bear lets parents choose between womb sounds, three calming lullabies, or two nature sounds

Scrapbook You’ve collected enough ticket stubs, postcards, restaurant coasters and brochures… now have your kids organize them for a scrapbook.
Handheld Travel Games Magnets, electronic games and iPhone Apps could very well be God’s gift to traveling families. Magnetic checkers anyone?

Best Baby Play Book Books for Tiny Hands Infants and toddlers too young to draw or write by themselves will love Tiny Love Touch & Discover Play Book. Featuring animal themes, the book arouses  curiosity and encourages motor and cognitive development with sounds that are activated by aligning bee with the electronic touch point.

SPEAK UP What are your summer travel plans? Share your fail safe tricks to keep kids entertained in the car or on the plane.

Nursery Decor for Small Spaces

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Creating the perfect nursery in a small space doesn’t mean having to compromise on style. In fact, there is a lot of baby furniture out there that is designed specifically for urban parents or those who live in small houses and end up having to convert a spare bedroom or tiny office space into baby’s room. With that in mind, we’ve put together some tips and tricks, plus furniture to match, to help new parents decorate a baby room that is both comfortable and practical.

THE CRIB
The award-winning Stokke Sleepi crib system is a favorite among minimalist and design-conscious parents who fall in love with the bed’s modern soft curves. It comes in five different colors to complement your nursery color scheme and home. Natural, white or gray color schemes work best for small rooms since they take up less visual space than a darker color, such as walnut or cherry. The best thing about this sleeping system is that it grows with your child. Featuring a comforting, round shape (read: baby won’t get stuck in a corner), the Sleepi starts out as a mini bassinet and as baby grows, it turns into a full-size crib and eventually a toddler bed.
tip: Don’t forget that you’ll need a specially designed mattress for this crib, such as the Stokke Sleepi System Foam Mini Bassinet & Crib Mattress Set By Colgatte



THE GLIDER
A comfortable glider is a must since you’ll be spending a lot of nights rocking baby to sleep. This model has a built-in recliner, which means you won’t need a space-hogging ottoman. It features a comfortable reclining back with extra lumbar support and a flip-up footrest. After the nursing years, it can easily transition into the playroom or living room.
tip: Place a small table close to the chair so you can easily rest a bottle or favorite nighttime book.


THE CHANGING TABLE
That first year you’ll spend almost as much time putting baby to sleep as you will changing his or her diaper. Save time and prevent hassle by creating a well-stocked changing area. Choose a simple changing table, like this one, with enough drawers or shelves to stock extra diapers, lotions and wipes.

tip: Hang a caddy with extra diapers and supplies on a pegboard above the changing table to keep all necessities close at hand. Decorate with a few favorite toys, like this cute stuffed elephant, to help keep a squirmy baby distracted.

THE LIGHTING
Good lighting is essential in any nursery. The last thing you want is a bright ceiling light that will completely wake up baby when you change her in the middle of the night. Instead, choose a floor lamp that you can place next to the changing table or by the glider so you can direct the light exactly where you need it. This floor lamp features a dimmer switch and swing-arm that makes it ideal for reading.
tip: Make sure you choose a low voltage bulb that won’t disturb baby’s sensitive eyes.


Do you live in a small apartment or house and are finding it challenging to convert a spare room into a stylish nursery? What decorating solutions did you come up with?