It is often difficult to believe that the little one that runs about the house with pattering feet and a barely decipherable chatter was little more than a roly-poly smiling bundle at this same time last year.

Good intentions

Each baby is born to mothers who have the best of intentions to record and photograph each moment of this child’s life. Many mothers rise to this challenge amid hectic schedules and life’s demands. Yet few remain as committed to the scrapbook of the last child as they were with the first. Some mothers just don’t have time to even begin and those cute baby memory books remain untouched as the years pass.

Filling a need

Moms and Dads are not the only persons in a child’s life that have memories to record and share. Aunties and Grandmas also love and care for these babies from birth to the toddler years and right on up. This year why not give a gift that records and shares these precious memories with your precious baby?

Photos that are locked on computer hard drives or remain hidden on memory chips in cameras aren’t very accessible. Toddlers love to see pictures of themselves and hear stories featuring them as they were when they were a baby. A memory book dedicated to them will be a big hit.

The toddler is not the only one who will appreciate the memory book. Moms from the dedicated scrap booking enthusiast to the mom who never even started will appreciate photos of her child that are already arranged, journaled and require nothing of her time and energy other than pure enjoyment.

Unique perspective

Grandmas and Aunties have a unique perspective that they can share. As a grandparent or sibling you can share memories of the baby as well as the parent you knew as a child. Pointing out similarities in looks, behavior and attitudes is often fun for both the toddler and their parent to discover. You can also laugh more readily at the natural naughtiness of childhood. As a loved one not in the parental role it is a funny occurrence – not a tragic mess – when the toothpaste is emptied from the tube, or the butter is eaten in huge bites right from the cube.

Getting started

To start your memory book holiday gift give yourself time to complete it. The value of this gift is in its creation and not the monetary investment, so make sure you give it the time it deserves. The internet will be your best friend. You can get the photos you need by sending them directly from your PC to the photo shop via email. This saves time and gas. If you have the capability you can even print the photos yourself at home.

Memory books come in all shapes and sizes. You can get a one-time book that you can fill, or you can get a book that allows for the addition of pages as the years roll on. Browse online to find the book that is right for you, and then get to work. This is one gift that will be pleasing to giver and recipient alike.

What you just learned about baby present is just the beginning. To get the full story and all the details, check us out at http://www.simplyuniquebabygifts.com for your baby gifts. You will love the personalized baby gift basket.

A happy potty trained baby - photo by blogs-glam.com

1) Is your child ready?

* Are you wanting to potty train because somebody told you you should?

* Some signs to look for are
a) showing an interest in the toilet;
b) able to tell you when he/she needs to go; and
c) times during the day/night when the diaper is dry.

* If your child is not ready this is going to be an extremely painful process.

2) Are you ready for this experience?

* You are going to need time and patience to make it through this experience.

* Nobody learns well under stressful conditions so your part is to provide the proper positive attitude in the home.

3) Make sure your child can get to the potty…

* Put the potty in a high traffic area, out in the open so “out of sight = out of mind” does not work against you.

* Would you want to be sent to the corner? This is a new life skill, not a punishment so the process should be openly accepted by everyone.

4) Find their currency…

* Positive reinforcement and bribery are other words used to describe this step. It does not matter what you call it. It is a valuable tool.

* It must be valuable to your child and small enough not to bankrupt the family.

* Smarties were my daughter’s currency; she got one Smartie for trying, two for a successful #1 and a whole (small) box for a successful #2.

* Praise can be gradually substituted in for the reward once the routine is established

5) Find the time…

* Clear your calendar. When establishing a new routine it helps to keep some consistency…stay at home.

* 1st you get them to understand when they need to go potty…and actually get there in time.

* Then your child can work on recognizing they need to use the potty and being able to hold it until a washroom can be found.

* There are lots of activities you can still do; it just takes a little creativity. Lots of company could be a distraction, so please be aware of that fact.

6) Good bye pull-ups…

* Put away any form of diapers…that includes pull-ups for the immediate future.

* How it feels to go to the bathroom is something your child needs to experience.

* For the first couple of days I had my daughter go around in a dress with nothing underneath. I believe that the bare experience helped speed up our process.

7) This is not going to be a mess free transition…

* DO NOT lose your temper when an accident occurs, there will be lots of them during this process.

* Plan, Plan, Plan. Roll up that expensive Oriental rug. Put a washable covering (rubber backed mattress protector) on the sofa. Play in clean up friendly areas.

Set the timer…

* If you use a timer you will not be the nagging parent, and you will not have to watch the clock all day.

* In order to get used to the potty I recommend you set the timer for every 20-30 minutes.

* Your child will then sit on the potty. They do not sit there until they go potty, they simply have to sit there for thirty seconds to one minute and try.

After the 1st hurdle…

* Once the need is recognized by your child then you can start taking small short field trips. Remember to pack a couple changes of clothes.

* For longer trips it is OK to go back to the pull-ups especially if your child develops a fear of public washrooms (that’s another article).

* If things are just not going well with the first part of training then reconsider step #1. It might be beneficial to both of you if you stopped the process for a couple of weeks then tried again. Potty training can be pretty easy only if everybody is ready.

Newborn baby portrait by youaremysunshine.biz

by Roy Barker

Documenting a child’s stages, growth and development has become even more popular through baby photography. Once just the domain of the well off, or taken only every few years for very special occasions, many households are now opting to have their children’s portraits taken professionally on a much more frequent basis.

More and more people are realizing that baby and toddler photos are invaluable for sentimental reasons and to also document the rapid growth of the child. The child will grow up, but the photos will last forever.

The truly professional photographer will be an artist and know their craft inside out. And will take pride in the uniqueness of their work and the end result. They will be well prepared for any situation and be willing to travel for their clients.

Professional photographers capture everything from everyday naughtiness to the total innocence of a newborn child ” the rewards are there. No matter how frustrating working children may be. But, you do need the right equipment ” a good DSLR, flash equipment, and a tripod ” to start with. Because without the right equipment you dont have a hope of coming across as a professional photographer let alone be capable of producing the results clients expect.

However to create those fantastic photos you will need to have the correct equipment. At the very least, a quality DSLR, tripod, flash, and shutter release. Without these, you will have a remote chance of snapping the level of shots the client is expecting, and it will be difficult for the parents to take you seriously if you do not present with the expected photographic equipment.

Professional photographers are happy to travel to meet their clients. They will present themselves as professionals and have all the expected photographic equipment with them. True professionals take pride in their work and are always looking for that unique one-off shot.

It is a competitive market ” with more demand than ever for children in commercials, and only the best, most unique shots are used. So remember, if you are going to use your clients photos then make sure you get them to sign a release form that gives you permission to sell them commercially.

Professional photographers are specialists that have experience, knowledge, creativity and the guts to create photos that are everlasting.

Sample shopping cart cover provided by cleanshopper.com

by Rochelle Normski

Laerning the ins and outs of potty training. by learningcurve.com

by Paul Jason James

Most toddlers at one time or another offer resistance to their potty training program. This can be very frustrating to parents and lead to a battle of wills with the child. Before gearing up for battle with your child, let’s look at some of the reasons behind potty training resistance and what can be done about them.

Readiness

Before deciding to launch a potty training campaign, be sure your child is ready. If your toddler isn’t exhibiting any of the signs of potty training readiness, they will not cooperate because they doesn’t understand what you want him to do. A frustrated and confused child is a resistant child.

You’ll know your child is ready when he:

- Shows curiosity about the bathroom and what happens there – Has longer periods of bowel and bladder control – Begins to tell you when they need to be changed

Stage

Most potty training begins at about the same time your child starts asserting himself and learning he can control his environment to some extent with “yes and “no”. As any parent of a toddler will attest, “no” is the favorite word. A child that is telling you or ignoring you may just be practicing his new found ability to choose for himself. Find a way to present potty training in a way that he will choose it, “Big kids use the potty. Do you want to be a big kid and use the potty?”

Mixed Messages

A child can easily be confused by conflicting messages about his bodily functions. If the bathroom has been off limits previously, he may not understand why he is to go in there now. If he’s been told his dirty diaper is “yucky” or “nasty” he may be anxious about elimination in general.

Overcoming Resistance

Gentle persistence and persuasion are the best tools to overcome potty training resistance. At his next pediatrician visit, ask your doctor to talk to him about potty training. The more people he can interact with that encourage him to learn to use the toilet, the stronger the message becomes.

Potty training resistance is only temporary and will pass when they are ready to begin (or continue) it.

Yummy Variety of Fruit

Many vegetarian women are uncertain of their extra dietary requirements once they become pregnant. Pregnant vegetarians do need to carefully monitor their dietary intake to ensure they are consuming enough of the vital nutrients required for a healthy pregnancy. However, a vegetarian pregnancy diet need not leave you or your baby lacking if you ensure some of the following.

Requirements for a healthy vegetarian diet during pregnancy:

• Protein. Most pregnant vegetarian women who already have a well balanced diet will need to eat an extra 10 grams of protein daily throughout the pregnancy. This will take your daily protein consumption to approximately 60 to 70 grams. To reach 70 grams of protein, pregnant vegetarian women should be drinking 3 cups soy milk or calcium enriched milk, and eating 1 cup of yogurt, 1 cup of tofu, and 4 cups cooked brown rice. As a rough guide, 10 grams of protein can be found in any one of the following: 3 ounces tempeh, 3 1/2 ounces of tofu, or 2 cups of milk.

Other great sources of protein are legumes, seeds, cheeses, eggs, dairy including cottage cheese and yogurt, and nuts. Pregnant vegetarian women should be eating 4 serves daily. Approximately 6 servings of whole cereals and pulses daily are recommended for a pregnant vegetarian.

Other essentials in a healthy pregnancy diet:

• Calcium is an essential requirement for the baby’s growing skeleton. It is important to note that if you don’t consume enough calcium for the developing baby that the calcium will be leeched from your own bones as a substitute, leaving you at a very high risk of osteoporosis. All pregnant women need approximately 4 serves of calcium rich foods daily. Calcium can be found in tofu, cheese, cottage cheese, cow’s milk, yogurt, almonds, dried fruit, green vegetables, especially spinach, broccoli, and kale, watercress, sesame seeds and tahini, and pulses and whole grain cereals. Another essential is Vitamin D which is needed by the body to properly absorb the calcium. Look for products that have Vitamin D added, such as milk, butter, and margarine. Vitamin D can also be provided by about 15 minutes of sunlight.

• Iron. Iron is essential in every pregnant woman’s diet, as it is common to become anemic when pregnant. There are many plant sources that are rich in iron, these are green vegetables, dried fruits, and wholegrain pulses and cereals. Since iron in its plant form is harder for the body to metabolize, it can be useful to consume Vitamin C at he same time as the iron rich foods. For example, a glass of freshly squeezed fruit juice will help breakdown the iron in that spinach. If you are concerned about your iron levels have your doctor or midwife check with a simple blood test. If your doctor feels that iron supplements are necessary he or she will advise you.

• Vitamin B12. This vitamin is crucial for the normal development of the baby’s cells and tissues. Vitamin B12 can be found in yeast products, dairy, and eggs. Some soy products and cereals have been enriched with Vitamin B12 and these can make great selections.

• Fluids. Most pregnant women find that they become more thirsty. Producing the extra blood for the baby as well as the amniotic fluid increases your fluid requirements. Drinking plenty of water, juices, and herbal teas will keep you hydrated and minimize the chances of constipation, which can be a problem for some women when pregnant.

Pregnant Mom and Dad

Pregnancy diet recommendations for a vegetarian.

• Fruits and vegetables, including dried fruits. 4-5 servings daily will provide Vitamins C and A, calcium, iron and folate.

• Cereals and grains such as rice, oats, wheat, rye and barley. 4 serves per day for fiber, protein, energy, Vitamin B family, calcium, zinc and iron.

• Dairy and soy products such as milk, cheese, tofu and yogurt. 3-4 serves daily for calcium, protein and Vitamin B12.

• Vegetable fats and oils are needed to provide essential fatty acids. 2 small serves are all that is required.

• Nuts and seeds such as sesame, peanuts, almonds etc provide calcium, fat, protein and energy. One to 2 small servings.

• Pulses such as chick peas, beans, and lentils. One to two serves provides fat, energy, protein and calcium.

• Yeast extract in the form of Vitamin B12 enriched spreads. One serving daily.

Conclusion

A vegetarian diet during pregnancy needs to be well balanced and planned to ensure enough vital nutrients are being consumed. If you are in any doubt about your pregnancy diet we recommend seeing a nutritionist or consulting your medical practitioner.

pregnant mother

We all know that Jessica Alba had a fantastic figure before she was pregnant and that she conscientiously worked out throughout her pregnancy. Now, a mere few months after giving birth to baby Honor, she is again wowing the world in her bikini worthy body.

Jessica states she gained 25 pounds during her pregnancy, which is within the recommended pregnancy weight gain of 25-30 pounds.

* Jessica’s exercise during pregnancy.

Jessica traded her running and weight sessions for gentler activities such as stretching, walking, Pilates, yoga, and a stationary exercise bike. Walking is ideal exercise for pregnant women as it is low impact but will still burn calories. Stretching and yoga are great for both mental and physical well being. The relaxation can be helpful for alleviating stress and it is a great idea to maintain your flexibility while pregnant.

* Jessica Alba pregnancy diet.

Jessica sensibly ditched the coffee when she found out she was pregnant and replaced it with lemonade, made with real lemons. Jessica found that she needed to eat small snacks every 4 hours to keep her energy levels up, and to avoid getting too cranky.

* Jessica’s after pregnancy diet.

Once Honor was born, Jessica started counting her calories. Her weight loss diet is low fat and low carb, and is approximately 1,700- 2,000 calories per day. As Jessica is nursing her baby that is estimated to burn up 500 calories. Her exercise regime burns another 500 calories daily.

* Exercises after pregnancy.

Jessica quickly returned to her pre-pregnancy workouts, of up to 1 hour daily or exercise, 5-6 times per week. Jessica mixes it up with the treadmill, swimming, lifting weights, an elliptical machine, core training, and circuits. Jessica was also a fan of the 12 week 3-2-1- Baby Bulge Be Gone workout.

* Conclusion.

While we haven’t all started out with Jessica’s sensational body, every pregnant woman can use her sensible pregnancy workout as a guide. Gentle exercises such as walking, stretching, and Pilates, are all great ways to maintain flexibility, and fitness while not overheating, or being high impact while pregnant.

We haven’t all got Jessica’s access to personal trainers, or the media scrutinizing our post baby bulges either, but even a brisk walk around the neighborhood with the pram every day is a great place to start. You could short cut a long and exhausting search by inspecting this website for many handy pregnancy tips on maintaining a slim and healthy pregnancy.

According to the March of Dimes, common skin conditions plaguing a woman during her nine months of gestation range from improved or worsened acne: flare-ups in existing eczema and psoriasis; bluish discoloration or blotchy skin in the legs; bhloasma – the “mask of pregnancy” or melasma – “glowing” skin from increased blood flow and skin oils; itchiness and dry skin; stretch marks; dark line on the belly; changes in fingernail or toenail growth and appearance; puffiness; rashes, red or itchy palms from increases in the hormone estrogen; skin tags, spider veins; and darkening skin.

Though most of these conditions will usually disappear after delivery, these tips may help reduce or treat common skin problems that occur during pregnancy and help the mother-to-be feel more comfortable:

- Skin cleansing. Good skin cleansing is the best way to avoid or treat acne breakouts. Wash your face with a mild cleanser two or three times a day. Don’t wash too often or the skin may become dry, aggravating the problem. A shielding lotion can minimize the loss of moisture and it won’t wash off.
IMPORTANT: Do not take any acne medications or over-the-counter treatments without checking with your health care provider. Some of these are not safe for pregnant women to use.

- Sun protection. Your skin is more sensitive during pregnancy. Good sun protection is very important at this time. Sunlight can darken pigment changes in your skin and increase your chances of getting “mask of pregnancy.” Use a good sun block, cover up, and wear a hat when outside. Limit the time you spend outdoors between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

- Make-up. Cover-up and foundation can help hide dark streaks or spots on the skin. Avoid make-ups that contain mercury. Look at the label to see if the make-up contains mercury.

- Stretch marks. You won’t be able to avoid stretch marks entirely. It will help if you gain only the recommended amount of weight (usually 25 to 35 pounds), and do so slowly. Using a quality shielding lotion may help the skin retain moisture and stay supple, minimizing the effects. Stretch marks usually fade and become less noticeable after delivery.

- Moisturizers. Moisturize your belly and your breasts to reduce itchiness and dry skin. To avoid skin irritation, use an unscented high-quality shielding lotion that won’t wash off and can protect against environmental irritants and air pollution. Use a mild soap when washing. Avoid hot showers or baths. They can dry out the skin.

- Excessive heat. Heat can intensify itchiness and rashes. When you go out in warm weather, wear loose-fitting, cotton clothing.

Always talk to your health care provider before using any medicated creams or ointments to treat skin problems, as some may be harmful. Ask your doctor if shielding lotions using high-quality all-natural ingredients are right for you in managing your pregnancy-related skin conditions.

Author, Gloria MacTaggart, is a freelance writer who contributes articles on skin care for Gloves In A Bottle, Inc. For more information, visit www.glovesinabottle.com.
Published here by Kitty Baker who writes regularly on pregnancy, babies and pregnancy weight gain. The normal development and health of your baby depends on it. There’s much, much more pregnancy information here.

The so called mucus plug creates a protective barrier. When you are getting closer to labor you will notice even more vaginal discharge during your pregnancy. This discharge will look a bit different than when you were in your earlier months of pregnancy. This is fine, it is just a part of being pregnant and the body taking care of itself. When your cervix begins to thin out and dilate it will expel this mucus. Then you will notice that the discharge looks like egg white and you will probably expel the plug in one gelatinous glob. This discharge might be tinged with a bit of blood. Do not let this bother you as this is only normal before the baby is born.

One word of caution when you are getting a lot of vaginal discharge during pregnancy it can be hard for you to tell if it is mucus or you’re leaking amniotic fluid. If you do have any doubts please contact your physician as this is a severe problem for the baby. If you are not yet in your 37th week and you notice an increase in discharge or a change in the type of discharge like if it becomes watery, or bloody then call the physician immediately. This can be a sign of preterm labor.

Preterm labor can be prevented if caught soon enough so you can carry your baby full term. Vaginal discharge during pregnancy, lower abdominal pain, with cramping farther along in your pregnancy is all signs of preterm labor.
This could just be a sign that your uterus is stretching or it could mean that you are indeed going into preterm labor. It is very wise for you to contact your physician immediately so he can help you prevent this process.

You may have an infection which is usually an odorless, whitish discharge that’s causing you discomfort such as itching or burning. A vaginal discharge during pregnancy untreated can result in a yeast infection. It is always good for you to check your discharge because it might be foul-smelling, frothy, yellow, green, or gray which means that you have a different kind of infection or a sexually transmitted infection, even if you don’t have symptoms of irritation, itching or burning. We like to advise that you should not try to treat yourself with over the counter medications. It is very important to first see your practitioner for a proper diagnosis to make sure you get appropriate treatment.

I know at this point you are wondering if there are any things that you might be able to do to help with the problem. Let me tell you now, yes there is, vaginal discharge during pregnancy is not uncommon but it is very irritating and some simple methods are available that will help. Firstly, very important – do not ever use a tampon during your pregnancy! Use panty liners to absorb the discharge and change often to prevent any infection. Next keep your genital area healthy by keeping it clean. Always wipe from front to back when you are cleaning your self. Next wear cotton underwear; avoid tight pants, nylons, bubble bath, scented pads or toilet paper. It is necessary that you also avoid feminine hygiene sprays and scented or deodorant soaps for the protection of the fetus. One other main concern that physicians and midwives have is that you do not douche. I know that vaginal discharge during your pregnancy is sometimes uncomfortable and you may feel unclean but you need to understand this is just part of being pregnant. The process of douching can upset the normal balance of vaginal flora and increase your risk of a vaginal infection. Douching has been noted in some rare cases to introduce air into your circulatory system through the vagina, which can cause serious complications. Keeping your self clean and wearing panty liners is the safest way to go when you are pregnant.

Remember, taking good care of yourself now is imperative including your diet. If you have concerns or a motherly interest about the food and beverage you’re consuming, consult your doctor and down-load this pregnancy diet guide and read it!

Please don’t be alarmed if you happen to be taking birth control while pregnant especially in the start of the pregnancy. A lot of women have made that mistake and had perfectly normal babies. Taking the pill only one time at the start of the pregnancy should not harm the baby. If you suspect that you are pregnant discontinue the pill right away. Then contact your doctor or a family client be tested right away. It is unlikely that the hormones will kill the fetus.

It is of course not healthy for the fetus for you to continue taking them for months or several weeks. Taking birth control while pregnant if kept on a continuous basis could cause birth defects and even cause a miscarriage. This is not a safe way to terminate a pregnancy. This could be very dangerous for you even life threatening. In the event that you need to terminate the baby go to a clinic and have a safe procedure if you are early on in your pregnancy it should not be hard to have the baby terminated by an abortion. Family clinics are there to help you and to advise you as well. Take advantage of their services before you make any rash decisions. Taking birth control pill may not always work in some cases unfortunately. It maybe necessary for you to be on the pill but if you find that you are taking birth control while pregnant immediately see your doctor.

No women intentionally would want to harm their baby by taking birth control while pregnant. It is not uncommon for birth defects to arise without the assistance of the wrong type of medication. Let us review a few defects that can harm the baby but can be avoided with proper care. Genital and urinary tract defects are common as one in ten babies. Show some abnormalities. Not all defects are serious and show no symptoms. Other malformations can be more serious causing urinary tract infections, pain, or kidney damage. Many of these defects can be detected at birth with the use of an ultrasound. Some of these abnormalities are inherited from the parents who have the disorder or carry the gene for it. The problem of birth defects can come from many different sources that are why a new mother-to-be needs to carefully watch her diet and especially watch any medication that she may have been prescribed to take. Taking birth control while pregnant is really not a wise decision for baby or mom.

Birth defects for your child are very serious and some can last a life time. Heart problems are the number one birth defect that we need to be made aware. In some cases heart problems are mild and hardly noticeable. In other cases heart disease can be very serious needing surgery, a pace maker, or other devices at a very early age. Heart problems as in other defects can be an inherited defect or poor health care and unfortunately it is not wise taking birth control while pregnant. It is very important that if you even suspect you maybe pregnant to discontinue taking the birth control, see your physician, be tested immediately, and follow your physician’s advice to the letter. I cannot stress enough to you that you should read the label on any medication you are taking. “Discontinue use if you become pregnant.” Normally all birth control medications have this warning on the medication. The FDA requires that the manufacturer place this label for the public to read and be made aware of dangers involved. So please it is not safe to be taking birth control while pregnant. A point that I hope all of you got while reading this article consult with your physician if you have any doubts or questions.

Kitty writes regularly on pregnancy, babies and pregnancy weight gain. The normal development and health of your baby depends on it. There’s much, much more pregnancy information here.