Essential Baby Planner

Cool MOMpreneur - Baby Maven

2009-07-08T12:43:00.000-07:00

Check out local MOMpreneur and cool business . . .

Baby Maven - Dedicated to helping couples become a secure parenting team.

Carrie Grange Isaacson is the successful mom behind the great business. I met Carrie early on at the start of my own business venture. She was actually recommended to me by one of her colleagues and she was spoken of so highly that I quickly contacted her for a meet up of our own. Carrie's soft spoken and friendly and right away she impressed me with her professionalism. She also impressed me with her dedication to both her business and her family. She's a mom who truly seems to have achieved that much sought after balance between life, work and family.

To me, the best part of Carrie's mission is to bring couples together in order to help them find the parenting style that best fits them. You can only imagine the benefits.

Here's a little more about Carrie:

Q: What motivated you to start your business?
A: I have always worked with families as a therapist and educator. After the birth of my first, very wanted child I found that parenting a high needs baby was so much more challenging then I had anticipated so I went on to get additional training to focus my practice helping other new parents have a smoother transition for themselves and their couplehood.

Q: What is the hardest part about owning your own business?
A: The hardest part for me is not being able to dedicate 100% to building my practice because I've chosen to work part time and be a mother first.

Q: What is your business's biggest draw for San Diego folks?
A: My services are unique because in addition to office appointments, San Diegans can meet me in their own home via skype or on the phone. My practice is geared towards busy parents so appointments can be made in the evenings or on the weekends and many families in my practice save on child care by scheduling sessions in their homes after children are sleeping. All of my classes, consultations and therapy is based on cutting edge research and getting information and support early on helps young families thrive.

Q: Do you have any advice for expecting families?
A: Yes. Let me start with some stark statistics:

Parenting today is harder than ever, in fact it's 42% harder than for previous generations. Couples fight eight times more frequently after having children and 67% if couples report a decrease in relationship satisfactions.

So, my advice for expectant couples is to know that nothing can truly prepare you for the enormous changes ahead and that it will be more wonderful and more challenging than you can imagine so be gentle on yourselves and your partner. Get all the assistance that you can from family, friends and professionals like Essential Baby Planner who will save you both time and money. And most importantly, don't forget in all the preparation to be the best mother and father you can be, that it's essential to be the best partner to your spouse. Baby Maven's services of course can help too.

Bringing Baby Home is the perfect class for expectant couples, recently featured on Good Morning American, this class is the only one that teaches couples not only how to care for their baby but also for one another.

Next Bringing Baby Home class starts July 12th and mention 'Essential Baby Planner' in your registration and receive and exclusive $25 off.

Contact Carrie at:
1.800.383.1790
Carrie@babymaven.org
www.babymaven.org

Bootie After Baby - Perfect Father's Day Gift!

2009-06-14T14:30:00.000-07:00

Did your sex life come a screeching halt after having kids?

This class will help you jump start the passion. Bootie After Baby was just featured in Urban Baby New York http://blogs.urbanbaby.com/newyork/2009/06/10/sexy-back/ and makes a father's day gift that is sure to please www.babymaven.org to register.

Bootie After Baby

June 25th NYC 6-9pm $119 / couple
Metro Minis 821 Park Ave @75th

Get back under the covers together:

-The Art of Married Modern Flirting
-Making Overtures into Invitations
-How to Dialogue about Desire
-The Secret Potion for Passion

There is no need for personal self-disclosure, and communication skills are practiced in break out sessions one on one with your partner.

FREE Baby/Toddler Classes!

2009-06-08T16:06:00.000-07:00

Hey folks,

Sorry for the late notice on this one but they do it regularly so check back in a few months.

Summer 2009 Child Development Class Schedule

Continuing Education - San Diego Community College District offers free for babies and tots ages newborn to 5 yrs old. They also offer some really interested parent and family classes at minimal cost.

Definitely something to look in to and I love that it has a feel of San Diego helping San Diegans. And what better time to help out then at the early years of parenting when we're most unsure and in need. Camille and I are definitely taking advantage of this. It came at such a great time too. I was just wondering how to start expanding Camille's world and help her grow.

Maybe I'll see you there!

Essential Baby Planner's First Blog Award!

2009-05-30T11:17:00.000-07:00

We were pleasantly surprised to receive our first blog award this week from Bundle 2 Baby . Thanks Jan!

Here are the rules:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Here are 15 of B2B's favorite blog friends:

Baby's Little Log Book
Baby Maven
Babies-in-Bloom
San Diego Bargain Mama
Seaside Nannies
Ciara Cusseaux Photography
Budget Sense
Baby Fabulous
Sugar Jones
Playing Daddy
Health Center for Women
Bookie Boo
San Diego Momma
Meladramatic Mommy
HipMamaB

Thx all!

Need Maternity Photos?

2009-05-27T22:06:00.000-07:00

Stills by Hill Photography is running a great Maternity Promo!

Reserve your newborn session and receive your maternity session 1/2 off! This fantastic deal is good until July 1st.

I met Hillary a while back at a Parent Connection Family Swap Meet. We just got reconnected through a friend of hers that I had met at a networking event for a friend of mine. Lol, I know - jumbled. But the moral of the story . . . networking rocks! ;-)

Check out Hillary's website at: www.stillsbyhill.com

Product Review - Serena & Lily Coloring Blocks

2009-05-26T13:55:00.000-07:00

Serana & Lily - Coloring Blocks

I actually first 'spoke' with Serana & Lily via Twitter. Twitter is quickly becoming an extremely cool way to connect with folks I might not normally meet. Anyway, after reading a post asking for product reviewers I quickly jumped on board! Far be it for me to bypass reviewing something cute from Serana & Lily.

After a flurry of tweets and emails, I received an amazing package in the mail and couldn't wait to tear it open. Inside, sweetly packed were a beautiful set of their coloring blocks. Lovely.

Now the reason I was hankering for these blocks is because I was about to head out on a vacation to St Thomas and St Croix. For those of you not in the know that's like a nine hour flight from Cali and I was frantically trying to think of things to keep my 2yr old busy. And the Serena & Lily coloring blocks looked well-made for small hands and I loved that they're non-toxic.

To be more accurate, the coloring blocks are 'made of the highest quality, pesticide-free beeswax . . . thick rectangular crayons that won't smear, crumble or stick . . . and are coated with a nontoxic, wipeable coating for longevity.' Now how can you beat that? I was sold!

And my daughter thought they were great. I kept them in the little tin they came in instead of using the carrying case. Although the carrying case is super cute, I figured the tin would protect the blocks from breaking and would fit a little more snugly in our carry-on. I did have a little trouble keeping all the blocks on the seat's drop-down tray but quickly learned to only hand over a few at a time to save my body from contorting into all kinds of bizarre shapes trying to pick them up off the floor.

This really is a wonderful set of crayons. The colors are great and look true to form. I wasn't sure how 'yellow' the beeswax yellow would be as compared to regular crayons. The blocks did fit nicely into Camille's tiny hands and the shape actually gave her different thicknesses depending on how she angled the crayon while drawing.

All in all, a great buy. Especially for those parents looking to 'green' up their baby's world or just looking for something to tidy them over while traveling.

Product Review - SafetyCaps

2009-05-13T11:11:00.001-07:00

SafetyCaps . . . "My daughter choked on a standard outlet plug so I designed a safe alternative!"

I can't even imagine hearing those awful sounds coming from my baby that means she's swallowed something and is choking. Even just thinking about it now makes my stomach clench. As a first time mom (although I'm sure that doesn't matter), this is one of my biggest fears. So, I can't imagine what George DeCell went through when he found out that his daughter, Sage, was choking on a standard outlet plug. But, I can imagine that his experience as a parent spurred him on to create SafetyCaps.

IMHO, this is a truly great product - the next generation in outlet plugs. And the engineering behind the design is smart. George actually took the safety regulations used for pacifiers and applied them to his outlet plugs! It seems so logical to me. In accordance to US Pacifier Regulations, these plugs have two small holes in them to allow for ventilation which makes them a 'safe product regarding choking'. This means that if they do get swallowed there's still the ability for breathing. They're also fit regulation measurements.

So, I got a few samples and tried them out with my daughter. They fit snug into the outlet and with a 'Too Hard To Do', Camille easily gave up trying to pry them out. I like that George specifically made them clear to blend into the outlet cover. 'First and foremost is safety. The more it blends, the less likely a child is to notice it'.

EBP highly recommends SafteyCaps to all our clients!

Raising a Green Baby

2009-05-10T23:16:00.000-07:00

Raising a Green Baby

As parents we’re always looking for the biggest and best items in the baby market and this next design idea couldn’t come at a better time. This year, stylish rooms are all about green design where we can introduce organic and sustainable materials into our home. The popularity of eco-friendly baby furniture has truly blossomed over the last few months and we’re going to dig a little deeper into the subject to find out why this is the case. Putting great style aside, an eco-friendly environment provides a safe space for our children to grow up in due to the fact that chemicals and toxins seen in standard furniture that can potentially harm our families are eliminated.

Organic materials we see in baby clothing, nursery furniture, and toys are grown naturally without the pesticides or herbicides that can pose a threat to children. In addition to organic cotton materials, it’s best to consider naturally sustained wood for the major furniture pieces in your children’s room that are treated with non toxic paint or stains. This will eliminate the chance for harmful VOCs such as formaldehyde to be released into your baby’s environment. In addition, consider incorporating recycled furniture found at a local thrift store, flea market, or a hand-me-down passed down by a friend in order to create a safe, green, and health friendly atmosphere.

Online recycling programs online such as Craig’s List, Recycle.org, and eBay are all great resources to use for an extended selection of furniture that are either used or are built with recyclable materials. Eco-friendly doesn’t stop at the furniture we bring into our children’s nursery. There are a number of different green mattresses and breathable crib bedding options that will keep your baby safe sleeping throughout the night. Bedding made from 100% organic cotton material and stuffed with natural materials such as soy, buckwheat hulls, or kapok are all great alternatives to any synthetic material.

Product Review - Aunt LaLa's Log

2009-04-21T22:15:00.000-07:00

Aunt LaLa's Log . . . It's a must for "moms-in-the-know"

It was a pleasure to review Aunt LaLa's Log book. For those soon-to-be moms, trust me, you will absolutely need some way to record your baby's info. It's important to track feedings (and if you're breast-feeding which side), diapers, naps and whatever else you may think helpful.

Tracking these things will so help you keep your sanity. I remember trying to recall which side I had last breast-fed Camille. I was so loopy during those first few months that I could barely recall my husband's name. I think for a while there I simply referred to him as 'hey'. Looking back, I really wish I had something to help me track all of this. Oh, the brain power I could have saved!

Then, we were supposed to keep track of diapers for Camille's doctor. She always asked how many wets and solids and, after my husband and I stared dumbly at each other for about 2 minutes, I'd have to pull some number out of my rear. Not fun.

Seriously though, having a record is truly helpful when someone else needs to watch your baby. Whether it's grandma while you take some mommy-time and grab a latte or it's the nanny because you need to go back to work, having a log of what's going on with your baby is invaluable. It ensures that all involved will stay on the same page. We won't have to rely on memory or notes and hope we don't forget something.

The books themselves are really nice. The two sisters, Deena and Lisa, created a wonderful tracking system. Each book contains 90 days worth of daily logs. There also includes a “general info” page with critical contact information and a simple growth chart as well as a “runny noses and ouchies” page so that you can track any illness or injuries.

I love that you can go onto their website and pick the cover design that best appeals to you. You can choose a girl or boy fabric or browse their "it's a surprise" section. They even have a book for twins!

All of this is what makes it a great buy. My advice, buy it before you have your baby. Or Aunt LaLa's Log will make a wonderful baby shower gift.

Check out their site: http://rosiebear.com

Cool MOMpreneur - Kimberly Felshaw Operation Showers of Appreciation

2009-04-20T21:42:00.000-07:00

Check out local MOMpreneur and cool business . . .

Operation Showers of Appreciation - Kimberly Felshaw

Kimberly has really gone above and beyond with her goal to help bring much needed baby items to our military families. For me, going into business for myself, I wanted to find a way to give back to my community. I wanted to find a charity that spoke to my heart. When I went searching I found Kimberly. She truly impresses me with her ability to make things happen for others as well as home with her family. And I couldn't wait to get involved. "The Operation Showers of Appreciation mission is to honor our military families in a unique way by showering them with gifts for their newborn babies, providing support during difficult times, and letting them know the many sacrifices of both the families and military members are appreciated."

It doesn't get any better then that.

Here's a little more about Kimberly:

Q: What motivated you to start your business?
A: Going through a personal life changing event in my family and receiving assistance like what we offer is our main motivation for starting Operation Showers of Appreciation.

Q: What is the hardest part about owning your own business?
A: The hardest part is juggling work and being a stay at home mom. I always thought it would be easier than "going to the office" but I was wrong. I think this is a bit harder.

Q: What is your business's biggest draw for San Diego folks?
A: We offer assistance to military families which make a very large percentage of San Diego as well as offer all San Diegans a chance to show their support to our local military and their families.

Q: Do you have any advice for expecting families?
A: Take a deep breath. You have to take in everything and cherish every moment you can, the good and the bad. When you see those eyes looking up at you and that tiny little hand wrapped around your finger, your entire world changes at that moment.

Contact Kimberly at:

866-977-OSOA
Kimberly@operationshowersofappreciation.org
www.operationshowersofappreciation.org

Essential Baby Planner has pledged to donate a portion of our proceeds to aid Kimberly in her mission. If you'd like to help and donate time, money or supplies please feel free to contact either Kimberly or myself. Thanks San Diego!

Be a Part of the Show!

2009-04-20T21:09:00.000-07:00

Are You Expecting Your FIRST Baby?

If you're pregnant with your FIRST child, you could be a part of Ellen's annual Mother's Day Show in May! Tell us why you deserve tickets to this very special show -- first-time moms-to-be ONLY please!

Here's the link: http://ellen.warnerbros.com/show/respond/?PlugID=162

Good luck!

Celebrate Earth Day with Babies in Bloom!

2009-04-14T15:08:00.000-07:00

Celebrate Earth Day with Babies in Bloom!

Join us on April 18th as we celebrate Earth Day. There will be free classes, information and giveaways.

·All Day - Build a PlanToys Eco House puzzle with your child to take home, along with other free PlanToys treats. We will also have a drawing for a $25 PlanToys gift certificate!

·10:30 - 11:00 am - Simple Ways to " Go Green" with Your Baby - easy to do and better for our planet!

·11:00 - 11:45 am - Create a Healthy Nursery: Did you know that there are things that you must not do when decorating your baby's nursery? Did you know that certain products can adversely effect the health of your baby and family for up to 6 years?! Come and meet Christine Bryant (owner of Spotted Moon Murals & Paint) and Carrie (the Essential Baby Planner) and learn about the Top 5 Biggest Mistakes Mom's Make When Decorating and Preparing for their New Baby. Plus learn about some great decorating tips that can help you turn your child's room into the imaginary world of their dreams.

·12:00 - 12:45 pm - Diapering Decisions: Is cloth diapering really better for your baby, your wallet and our earth? Come in and see for yourself!

·1:00 - 3:00 pm - Henna San Diego will be here to create a beautiful henna design on your hand, ankle or pregnant belly. It's a beautiful way to celebrate!

Babies-in-Bloom
Our boutique is located next door to David's Bridal at
1988 Hacienda Drive, Vista, CA 92081

Yep, that's right . . . that's me providing a few tips along with Christine on how to go green in your nursery. Come by and say hi!

Natural Kidz - Officially Launches!

2009-04-14T14:50:00.000-07:00

good for kidz
good for the planet_TM

With Natural Kidz, it's never been easier to help the planet with our hand-picked selection of earth-friendly products that your whole family will love. We are proud to offer a wide range of kid-tested, ecological products that are renewable, sustainable, toxin-free, fair trade, or ideally all of the above! Natural Kidz aims to be a convenient one-stop-shop that makes "going green" a pleasure, not a chore. Let us help you on the path toward creating an efficient, happy home that maximizes the health of your family and the planet in one streamlined step.
------

After eight months of development I'm excited to announce the official launch of my new online store, Natural Kidz!

I'm thrilled to have fulfilled some orders already and have received great, positive feedback regarding our ordering/shipping process.

For the month of April, I am offering a special discount for Friends & Family. To receive 30% off simply input coupon code launchsale when prompted during checkout. Feel free to tell YOUR friends and family about this special offer too.

Grand Opening Party - Dress for the Nines

2009-04-14T14:39:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

WHEN: Saturday April 25th, 2009 12- 2pm event,open all day 10am-6pm
WHERE: Dress for the Nines in the uptown shopping center next to Barry’s Boot camp.

1220 Cleveland Avenue Suite M111
San Diego, CA 92103

(SAN DIEGO) APRIL 25TH, 2009 FROM 12-2PM IS THE GRAND OPENING PARTY FOR DRESS FOR THE NINES-INFORMAL MODELING, GIVE-A-WAYS, GIFT BAGS, TRUNK SHOW, REFRESHMENTS AND NIBBLES.

In store Trunk Show Featuring the French Sisters all the way from Paris (www.frenchsister.com ). The French Sisters will be displaying and selling their new summer accessories.

Our neighbor Terra Restaurant (www.terrasd.com) will provide refreshments and nibbles. Terra Restaurant will have some healthy eats and non-alcoholic mommy drinks,that are sure to delight!

Moda models wearing 9-month bellies will informally model summer maternity trends.

In store give-a-ways all day long sponsored by Ashley Duchene of Ventana Kids (www.ventanakids.com ). Ventana Kids specializes in kids; maternity, and family photography will be donating a FREE in studio photo session.

Studio 1220 boutique another great neighbor will be having their $19.00 sale all day long as well!

Other Give-a-ways will include items from Dress for the Nines, Style Child, Essential Baby Planner gift baskets, Terra Restaurant; Barry’s Bootcamp, Ventana Kids and goodie bags!

The Natural Birth Project Presents Chiropractic: Birth and Beyond!

2009-04-14T14:16:00.000-07:00

The Natural Birth Project Presents Chiropractic: Birth and Beyond!
www.naturalbirthproject.com

Saturday, April 25th 11am-1pm
Drs. Richard Tran and Michelle Hsu

Come see how chiropractic care can support you and your family by:
• Reducing back pain and making your pregnancy more comfortable
• Support proper alignment for smoother and more natural delivery
• Support and improve your child's immune functioning
Drs. Tran & Hsu keep up to date and can provide recommendations based on some of the most current research in the field. Kids deserve the best treatment parents can give them and parents do, too! http://www.integrativehealingdynamics.com/

Held at: 6450 Lusk Blvd. Ste E 200
(behind bldng. 6440)
Sorrento Valley Area of San Diego CA 92121

* There is a $10.00 suggested contribution for this event to help support our mission. Free childcare available only with an RSVP.
RSVP to naturalbirthsd@gmail.com

The Natural Birth Project educates, inspires and empowers parents to find their inner wisdom and strength to birth and support new life in this world in loving, holistic and vital ways. Visit us online at www.naturalbirthproject.com

Product Review - Urbanity Stationary

2009-04-12T22:11:00.000-07:00

Urbanity . . . Let the celebration begin

I was contacted by Micki Ahrens, the Marketing Director from Urbanity to see if I would like to review their products. I love reviewing stuff so I jumped on it. And I'm happy I did. The Urbanity samples I received were super cute. The paper quality is top notch and the fact that they have a 300+ design inventory makes it easy to find something to love.

So, I checked out their site. Really nice interface, love the color and its not complicated. I could see right away where I need to go to find the baby announcements. As I was scrolling through the selections, I saw some great designs. Ones I would be happy to recommend to my clients.

Urbanity also let you choose some neat DIY invitations. I love this option. Being a super picky computer geek, I'm all for the freedom of finding my own special font and phrasing. I was sent a 3D crib with a printable rug, the cutest little chickadee holding a printable circle (my personal fav) and an adorable printable baby bib with ribbon.

Shopping at Urbanity, you get to customize the color to match anything from your event colors to the color of your nursery for free, choose different sized to match your budget, discounts on bulk orders and a free e-proof with your order or even before you place an order! They'll also work with you if you'd like a completely custom design. How great is that?

Speaking of great, Urbanity products have been featured in O magazine - as one of Oprah's favorite things and Modern Bride - top 100 things we love. Can't beat that for a recommendation!

Overall, I loved what I saw. Those DIY invitations were def my favorites though.

If you've used Urbanity I'd love to hear what you have to say - good or bad. Moms want to know!

Trixie Tracker - Savior App for the Techie Parent?

2009-04-12T21:34:00.000-07:00

I just got a hold of this article and I had to write about it. I'm an ultra techie parent and writing just ain't my thing. If I can type it in I'm sold. So when I saw this sweet 'baby tracker' application, my pulse started racing and my endorphins started dancing.

This baby was invented by a stay-at-home dad who needed something to fulfill his need to quickly keep track of all things baby and his need to stay in the tech game. Thus sprung the Trixie Tracker which has reinforced my belief that amazing things come from parents simply out of necessity.

Now, Trixie isn't only for the iPhone. It can actually work with any web-enabled phone out there as well as work on your browser. It's super cool because now all the most important people in your baby's life can share info and keep each other up to date by simply going on the web.

"Rich, informative charts and striking visualizations help you better understand your amazing baby’s needs and daily rhythms. Trixie Tracker can be shared online so that parents, family and caregivers can communicate with each other. Lets you track: - sleep schedules - diaper changes - bottle and breastfeeding - solids - pumping - milk inventory - medicine doses (apple)"

Check out a free trial on the "Trixie Tracker" website.

*Click here for original article

Mommy and Kai Naturals - Going Out of Business Sale

2009-04-09T15:08:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Mommy and Kai Naturals

-----------
We are sorry to share the news that we are going out of business. Please see our site for a store wide inventory clearance. Thank you to all of you for the years of fun and service! Use code closing4 for 50% reduction. Please see our BLOG for more details. Each week we will reduce the price further.
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Here at Mommy and Kai Naturals we are proud to offer only the finest organics clothes, toys and accessories for little ones.

Only the softest most luxurious organic cotton and wool are used to craft the clothes and toys.

Thank you for visiting.

We hate to see another great store close but I think buying from them now helps them offload their inventory and gives up some super bargains.

Petunia Pickle Bottom Outlet Sale!

2009-04-08T15:41:00.000-07:00

With Love Outlet Sale!

Petunia Pickle Bottom is doing it again! They host an outlet sale where part of the proceeds goes to a charity. This sale will benefit March of Dimes.

----

Spread the Love.
PPB will march with thousands teaming up for healthy babies!

Here at Petunia we know too well what it's like when a baby is born too soon. When a baby is born early, even by just a few weeks, the brain and other organs haven’t had time to fully develop. The March of Dimes has directly touched the lives of Petunia parents who have experienced the emotional toll of premature births. As a result, we have formed Team Petunia: PPB staff members who will participate in the March of Dimes “march for babies” walking event on Saturday, May 16th.

So when you select that perfect Petunia product for someone special this Mother's Day, a portion of the proceeds from every purchase will raise sponsorship money for the Petunia team of walkers. You can be a sponsor, too. Better yet, you can march with us by joining Team Petunia.

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Register for the event on their site at http://www.petuniaoutlet.com/register/

SALE STARTS: April 16th 8:00am PST
SALE ENDS: April 22nd Midnight PST

I got some great deals during their last outlet sale. Try a boxy diaper bag for $55! If you're in the market you can't miss this sale!

Fleurville Celebrates Earth Day!

2009-04-08T15:14:00.000-07:00

Earth Day Coupon!!!

At Fleurville, Earth Day (April 20th) is one of our favorite days. As many of you know, Fleurville has been quietly leading the industry in awarness of environmental issues in parenting accessories. We have been the only PVC/LEAD-Free company in the industry for 4 years running. In fact, just this year the US Congress finally raised standards through the Consumer Product Safety Administration to make industry standards comply with Fleurvilles'. It feels great to have been offering our green alternatives for years, and we welcome other companies to join us in doing the right thing for their customers and our planet.

Further, our business practices are certified 'green' by the leading certifcation company in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our light bulbs, paint, cartpet, recycling practices, etc. are all environmentally friendly. Are we perfect, not yet! However, we do strive everyday to do more for our families, neighbors and customers.

Help us celebrate Earth Day this month with a 20% off coupon for our eco-friendly accessories! Fleurville has been leading the charge in environmentally friendly bag design for more than 4 years!!! Get a head start on your Mother's Day shopping and enter "EARTHDAY20" at checkout and start saving now through April 30th

http://fleurville.com/home

EBP loves how 'green' they're going!

31 Cent Scoop Nite at Baskin Robbins!

2009-04-08T11:50:00.000-07:00

Scoop Up The Goodwill!

Join us for 31 Cent Scoop Night at Baskin-Robbins® and help us honor America's firefighters with a $100,000 donation to the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) National Junior Firefighter Program. Participating stores will reduce prices of small ice cream scoops to 31 cents*. At some locations, you may also have an opportunity to make a donation to local fire charities.

Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Time: 5pm – 10pm

Baskin Robbins 31 cent Scoop Nite!

Other then cupcakes, ice cream is Camille's fav treat! So, yeah we'll be there cuz . . . we're pushovers. :)

Save the Earth – Book Swap

2009-04-07T22:45:00.000-07:00

Save the Earth – Book Swap

Date:
Friday April 17, 2009

Time:
9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Location:
Scripps Mende Well Being-UTC

Notes:
Come celebrate our beautiful earth and protect our greatest! Parents, here’s your chance to turn in books your child will not read again and get free ones in the process! It’s also a great way to “reduce, reuse, and recycle.” The swap will be accepting gently used children’s book for which you can pick an equal quantity of books to take home.

This super event is being hosted by Parent Connection. Come and check it out, I know I will.

Cool MOMpreneur - Kia Maize Arbonne International

2009-04-07T21:38:00.000-07:00

Check out local MOMpreneur and cool business . . .

Arbornne International - Arbonne Skin Care Consultant

Kia Maize really knows her stuff. We met back in the fall of '08 at a JDC Women's Networking event and instantly started talking. She told me all about her decision to become an Arbonne consultant full time and how she whole-heartedly believes in the products. Kia assured me that everything is botanically based, never tested on animals and certified vegan! I was sold. Not only are the products great but Kia's bubbly personality draws you in and you end up wondering where the time went.

Here's a little more about Kia:

Q: What motivated you to start your business?
A: What motivated me to start my own Arbonne business was that I wanted to make my own hours and have the financial freedom that I choose to have. Also, I believe in the product and this is my opportunity to help people feel better about themselves inside and out.

Q: What is the hardest part about owning your own business?
A: If I had to choose. Introducing my business to the cold market. It's hard work but rewarding at the same time. When you love what you do it is not hard work.

Q: What is your business's biggest draw for San Diego folks?
A: Health and wellness using pure, safe and beneficial products for your whole family. San Diego folks are looking for safer alternatives to their health and wellness and my business offers that guarantee. Also, people are in tough times right now and Arbonne is a great way to supplement your income along side your current job, and for some, like myself, it will replace your current income. You will feel and look better in every aspect of your life.

Q: Do you have any advice for expecting families?
A: Having a family is a big responsibility and a huge reward at the same time. Be sure to raise your children in a positive and loving environment. Be a parent first, not a best friend. Have boundaries and do what you say your going to do. Your children will respect that later. Remember...your children are individuals and will have different interests than you and their siblings. Support them as they grow into who they will become. They are awesome!

Contact Kia at:

619-518-9504
myonlylu@yahoo.com
www.kiamaize.myarbonne.com

Bears, Buddies & Toys . . . Oh my!

2009-04-04T16:16:00.000-07:00

Now that my daughter's getting a little older and she finally gets what a princess is, we've been tossing around the idea of throwing her a fab b-day party. Now, if any of you know me then you'll realize what a crazy undertaking this would be for me. First of all I'm super lazy, I really only like my kid (trying to manage a room full would just about kill me) and I hate cleaning. If you're like me then the only thing that would make you take on a project like this, besides a wad load of money, is to see your baby's eyes light up.

In steps Bears, Buddies & Toys. Cue the hero music!

They pretty much satisfy every one of my bad qualities.

1) Moms and Dads only need to plan a few things. The party date, what food to bring, what drinks to bring and the cake. Voila . . . party done. BB&T hosts the whole thing. They'll make your invitations, do party activities and make goody bags for everyone. They also supply all the paper plates, cups, napkins and utensils.

Check out the pirate ship and castle! How fun would it be to party and eat pizza in one of those?

2) Moms and Dads can sit back and let the BB&T hostess handle everything. You can be as involved as you want to be. No questions asked and no side ways glances. It's totally up to you if you want to dance the hokey pokey . . . or not.

3) They do all the cleanup!!! Nothing else to say about that.

And I'm speaking from experience. Camille and I were recently invited to a Dress up and Stuff an Animal theme party. It was fabulous! My daughter was the youngest at 22mo but the ages of the kids ran the spectrum to about 11yrs old. The hostesses were great with all of them. Running around tickling the big kids and sitting quietly with Camille while she played the piano for 10 mins.

Megan even cut up Camille's pizza into bite size pieces - exactly what I would've done!

The girls got to dress up as princesses and the boys as pirates.

We even got to stuff an animal! Molly went through almost every animal in the shop to make sure Camille would be happy with her Pinky teddy bear. These girls are really great.

Overall, the experience was fun for both me and Camille. And when it comes time to plan her next party this place will surely be at the top of my list.

You can find Bears, Buddies & Toys at:
the Santee Trolley Center
(Across From Target)
9832 Mission Gorge Road
Santee, CA 92071
619-448-9008

www.bearsbuddiesandtoyssantee.com/

Carrie Furet makes 'Mom on the Move'!

2009-04-01T22:18:00.000-07:00

The Parent Connection selects me for this month's Mom on the Move!

Check out a great interview that tell a little more about me, my family and my faves. This was a fun interview and I was happy to provide all the details they needed.

San Diego Parent - Mom on the Move

Thx to Ciara Cusseaux for the photo!

New Mother - For Hire: Baby Planner

2009-04-01T16:40:00.000-07:00

Get the help you need

By: Tiffany Forte, Photo: Juicyimages

New moms need all the help they can get—and sometimes they are willing to pay for it. Hence the birth of a new trend: the baby planner. These for-hire “assistants” are coming to the rescue with services like babyshower coordinating, meals during pregnancy, arranging the nursery, sending out birth announcements, even babyproofing your home. They can also help you figure out essentials like what kind of child care to enlist and which nursing cream to use. While various packages of services do seem pricey, with costs ranging from about $100 to $600 or more, they may be worth considering. “Working women understand the value of support services and may be used to outsourcing in order to manage their busy lives,” says Linda Murray, editor-in-chief of Babycenter.com. A baby planner may be an option to help you stay organized and enjoy your maternity leave before heading back to the office. If cost is an issue, Murray suggests asking for these services as a shower gift. With a Web search, you can find baby planners across the nation in cities from Los Angeles to Boston.

Thanks to Working Mother for the article!
http://www.workingmother.com/web?service=direct/1/ViewArticlePage/dlinkFullTopArticle1&sp=1931&sp=98

Free Asthma Storybook for Children

2009-03-29T20:13:00.000-07:00

Read a story and help your child learn about managing asthma

Written and developed in partnership with:
Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA)

Schering-Plough Corporation worked with the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) to develop Breathless Bethany Buttercup, a fun yet educational story that uses a young child's perspective to provide information about asthma management. Written by children's author Tolya Thompson and illustrated by Curt Walstead, Breathless Bethany Buttercup appeals to early elementary-aged students with its playful rhymes and colorful illustrations.

Limited availability: order your free copy now

To order your free copy of Breathless Bethany Buttercup, click here. There is no charge for shipping and you should receive your copy in 4 to 6 weeks. Orders will be accepted through December 31, 2009, while supplies last. Please note there is a limit of one book per household.

https://www.asmanex.com/asmanex/application?namespace=coupon&event=storybook

La Leche League of Poway Annual Garage Sale

2009-03-27T22:16:00.000-07:00

La Leche League of Poway Annual Garage Sale

When: April 4, 2009

Time: 8AM-12 noon

Where: 12621 Hedgetree Court, Poway (near Target)
During Rancho Arbolitos Neighborhood Garage Sale

Come buy baby gear, kid's clothes, household items, furniture, and more!
Support our group!
Donations needed: clothing, household items,
books, toys, baby items and furniture.

Pricing Party: Friday, April 3rd, 9:00AM-1:30PM.
Come help sort and price for an hour or more, and get first choice to purchase all the good stuff!

Loan us your: 6 foot A-frame ladders, wooden or metal poles, folding tables, and extra hangers (for 2 days)

Help for an hour or two on the day of the sale.

***Proceeds support group expenses, new purchases for our group library, and help send our volunteer Leaders to the educational Area Conference.

***Tax Deductible Donations accepted beginning March 28th.

EBP will definitely be there to check out the haps!

March 29th Healing Birth Trauma Event

2009-03-27T21:19:00.000-07:00

Healing Birth Trauma
Sunday March 29, 2009 10am-12pm

If you are pregnant: Come learn ways to ensure your baby's birth is natural and healthy.

If you are a practitioner: Come learn ways to support your clients in having a safe and natural birth.

If you are a parent of child suffering from colic, irritability, digestive or sleeping difficulties, allergies, etc.: Come learn ways to support your child's health and well-being in natural and holistic ways.

OR Just come support the Natural Birth Project and our mission to educate, inspire and empower parents to find their inner wisdom and strength to birth and support new life in this world in loving, holistic and vital ways.
AND Connect with other parents and practitioners in this community.

Where: Coronado Community Center, Abalone Room
1845 Strand Way, Coronado, CA 92118
(619) 522-7342

Childcare: A limited number of spaces for childcare are available. Please RSVP to naturalbirthsd@gmail.com

SEATING IS LIMITED!
$10 donation requested.

EBP will be and I'd love to meet you!

Cool MOMpreneur - Seaside Nannies

2009-03-23T23:40:00.000-07:00

Check out local MOMpreneur and cool business . . .

Seaside Nannies - A Nanny Source

Dara Green is a true success story. While sitting with her over a cup of coffee, I heard a great tale of how she came to San Diego with her three kids and built up her thriving business with hard work and drive. When you know in your heart it's going to work then you just make it happen. And Dara makes it happen! She's a fireball! She's full of positive energy and she really knows her stuff. She can easily rattle off all the finer points of finding someone a great nanny. But don't trust my humble opinion - the public has spoken. Seaside Nannies won the Ranch and Coast Reader's Poll for Best Nanny Service in San Diego!!

Here's a little more about Dara:

Q: What motivated you to start your business?
A: As a responsible, loving and adaptable nanny, parents continually asked if I could work for them, so I was never without a job. I decided that after 18 years of working with families as their nanny/babysitter/traveling help, I wanted to create a concept that would allow me to connect nannies with families that reflected my personal childcare philosophy, so that I could effectively "reach out" to families through my agency. By doing so I feel I have made an impact on my community and ultimately gained the trust of many nannies, families, other businesses and business owners in San Diego.

Q: What is the hardest part about owning your own business?
A: The hardest part is getting used to the ebbs and flows of the busy times versus the slower times. There is never a balance. Seaside Nannies business model relies on school schedules and family planning.

Q: What is your business's biggest draw for San Diego folks?
A: Our biggest draw for San Diego and Orange County families is that we offer a service for families and nannies alike. Seaside Nannies is more than an agency. We meet everyone in person, including in home visits for families and we have all of our nannies fingerprinted before they are allowed to get a clients information. Also because of my almost 24 years of hands on experience, not only in the field, but in a preschool classroom, I have an upper hand on what families are looking for, what children need and what nannies want.

Q: Do you have any advice for expecting families?
A: Have everything ready before baby arrives and always be prepared for the unexpected! If possible, set up some overnights with an infant overnight specialist or someone who can take over the 8pm-8am shift. Getting rest will tremendously help a set of new parents with the transition of bringing baby home!

Contact Dara at:
619.384.5505
info@seasidenannies.com
www.seasidenannies.com

Y Dara is also an EBP partner offering a great discount to my clients!

PregTASTIC Online Radio is looking for YOU!

2009-03-23T14:30:00.000-07:00

PregTASTIC Online Radio is recruiting a few good pregnant mamas to be a regular radio personality.

The way it works is a small group of preggos, about 4, meet every Saturday to update the world on their journey through the 9 months of cooking. Patti Hildreth and her husband Royce, host the show and they're great! Super sweet couple focused on "provide information that makes women comfortable with their changing bodies, confident and flexible with the unexpected and empowered to make choices that fit their lifestyles."

I just spoke to Patti a few days ago (she actually interviewed me last December about baby planning and we've kept in touch) and she mentioned that two of her regulars had gone into labor 4 weeks early! So, she's definitely in need of replacements.

This is a great opportunity. The show is wonderful, you get to interview some interesting people and find out important facts first hand, and you get some cool perks. For example, I'm about to drop off free sample baskets for everyone.

-------------------------
Who: Pregnant women around the end of their first trimester. Must be outgoing and open-minded. Must be able to commit to regular weekly meetings.

What: Online radio interviews throughout your pregnancy

When: Meets every Saturday morning at 9:30am for radio taping.

Where: Murphy Canyon Rd. 92123
---------------------

Take a look at the website: www.pregtastic.com

And if you're interested go ahead and let Patti.

Thanks Patti and love your show!!

Preg-tionary: Colostrum

2009-03-19T21:49:00.000-07:00

Colostrum

Also known as first milk or "immune milk".

Colostrum is a form of milk, sticky white or yellow fluid, secreted by the breasts during the second half of pregnancy and for a few days after birth before the breast milk comes in.

Colostrum is high in carbohydrates, protein, and antibodies and low in fat (as human newborns may find fat difficult to digest). Newborns have very small digestive systems, and colostrum delivers its nutrients in a very concentrated low-volume form. It has a mild laxative effect to help baby pass its first stool. And it actually works as a natural and 100% safe vaccine.

If you decide to breastfeed, do it early and often. Your breasts will begin producing mature milk around the third or fourth day after birth. Your milk will then increase in volume and will generally begin to appear thinner and whiter (more opaque) in color. In those first few days it is extremely important to breastfeed your newborn at least 8-12 times each 24 hours, and more often is even better. This allows your baby to get all the benefits of the colostrum and also stimulates production of a plentiful supply of mature milk

Colostrum - it's what the baby ordered!

For more info: http://www.llli.org/FAQ/colostrum.html

I am a Spoiled Mama…Are You? (giveaway)

2009-03-18T20:57:00.000-07:00

Spoiled Mama products are formulated with the Finest Natural and Organic Ingredients available. We use Mother Nature's gifts, such as Minerals, Vitamins, Herbs, Botanicals, Natural Oils, and Extracts.

From the moment you knew you were pregnant taking care of yourself has never mattered so much. This is why Sp-oil-ed Mama Products are free from Parabens, Phthalates, Synthetic Fragrances, Harsh Surfactants, Artificial Colors, and Petroleum Derivatives.

Our skincare line is created and produced under the strictest standards of quality and safety. All of which makes them better For You, Your Family, and Our Earth.

What You Win

One lucky winner will receive The Spoiled Mama Best of Bump Sampler. To Enter: Go to The Spoiled Mama and look around, then go back to the contest site and tell them what you liked the best.

Contest site: http://www.lifestarringellieandeve.com/?p=1378

Good Luck!

Lilaguide.com - Kid of the Day Contest

2009-03-17T14:34:00.000-07:00

Enter our Kid of the Day contest for a chance to win a cash prize and have LilaGuide named after your child for the day!*

Delilah was the muse and became the namesake for the creation of LilaGuide. Now it's your baby's turn to be in the spotlight! Post a photo of your child, your child's first name, and a photo caption telling us how your baby got his/her name for a chance to win $25 in cash, your child's photo featured on the homepage, and LilaGuide will be named after your child for the day! (i.e., AidenGuide.com, EmmaGuide.com, etc).

Click here to enter and find out how Carley Roney, Founder and Editor-In-Chief of LilaGuide's parent website The Knot, Inc cleverly named her children!

*click here for official rules

Cool MOMpreneur - Ciara Cusseaux Imagery & Films

2009-03-16T23:16:00.000-07:00

Check out local MOMpreneur and cool business . . .

Ciara Cusseaux Imagery & Films - Custom photography and home movies celebrating love & family . . . documenting life.

Ciara Cusseaux is a blast! I remember the first time we met - it was at a vendor fair that was basically only attended by us vendors. :) I'm glad I went though. if for nothing else but to have met Ciara. She just approaches everything with so much positive energy and fun that it makes her personality addictive. And it comes across in her photography as well. I've been looking for a photographer to take our family photos but I wanted one that offered something unique. Ciara was the first photographer that actually did that for me. There's something in the way she takes the photo that makes it seem to blend a little with nature. Not that you have to be a nature person (my family's all city) but our photos turned out very serene and loving. Check out my blog photo!

Here's a little more about Ciara:

Q: What motivated you to start your business?
A: I have always had a great appreciation for family photos and videos. I was obsessed with documenting everything for my family and friends because it was my way to, and I know this isn't a word but, "perpetualize" our memories. As my albums grew, my standard for the photos in my albums grew as well. I ran into people who didn't enjoy watching their own videos, especially for weddings, because they were boring. Hearing people say this left me in a state of shock. It also presented me with a challenge. I ached to produce blog worthy films that not only the starring families would love but it would make be the envy of all their friends.

Q: What is the hardest part about owning your own business?
A: Juggling family and work life. Owning your own business is demanding as it is, plus it is very easy to become consumed with a career you are so passionate about. Pulling myself away has proven to be a challenge. Putting down my camera is not easy, I don't want to lose moments that can be used to grow. I have to remember to show my family they come first rather than allowing "work" act as the fourth member, tagging along on family outings.

Q: What is your business's biggest draw for San Diego folks?
A: I present the opportunity to travel back in time via custom photography and home movies. Our home films are particularly significant, because they are crafted in a way that makes people actually WANT to watch them. My husband and I are family video directors who use cinematography, imagery and music to edit personal films, that are fun, engaging, timeless, and stylish. Our work has brought our past clients to tears. Sessions may be anything from slightly traditional to candid, lifestyle to documentary, and fine art sessions as well. I work in my subject’s environment to truly embody the essence of who they are and their bond. This is done in their home or a place of great significance to them.

Q: Do you have any advice for expecting families?
A: Seize the moment... every moment possible! The beauty of parenthood has already begun even though baby hasn't arrived. No matter how many children you have and how many times you experience a stage, each time is going to be unique & extraordinary.

Contact Ciara at:
805-708-4122
contact@ciaracusseaux.com
www.ciaracusseaux.com

Y Ciara is an EBP Partner, our official photographer and you'll see some of her work throughout my website!

RECALL: Infantino Recalls Infant Toys Due to Choking Hazard

2009-03-13T23:05:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Infant Toys

Distributor: Infantino LLC, of San Diego, Calif.

Hazard: The infant toys have blue metallic fabric that can detach from the toy, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 45 reports of the metallic fabric detaching from the toys. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled infant toys and their model numbers are listed below.

Name of Toy / Model Number
Infantino Lil' Chef Set / 158-201 and 558-201

Infantino Activity Stacker / 158-202

Infantino Tag Along Chime Trio / 150-3092

The model number is located on a yellow tag on the toy.

Sold at: Babies "R" Us, Target, Wal-Mart, Meijer and other specialty stores from June 2007 through February 2009 for between $10 and $20.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from young children and contact Infantino for a free replacement toy or product.

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09146.html

FREE Rockstar Baby I'coo Targo

2009-03-13T22:49:00.000-07:00

This is one rockin' stroller! Win it

We're giving away a Rock Star Baby I'coo Targo stroller by Grand Touring Baby-worth more than $700-to one lucky reader! The stroller has a 5-point harness, 3-position reclining reversible seat, front swivel wheels, a lower storage area, and an included rain cover. "Of course, the most unique feature about our stroller is the iPod surround-sound bonnet," says Tico Torres, Bon Jovi drummer, talented painter, and founder of Rock Star Baby. "Babies need music to grow and create." Click here to enter. Contest ends 4/28/09.

Cool MOMpreneur - Baby's Little Log Book

2009-03-10T15:26:00.000-07:00

Check out local MOMpreneur and cool business . . .

Baby's Little Log Book - The Practical Tool Every New Mom Needs from Day One!

Alexis Aherns created this fab log book as a result of her own new mommy experiences. The longer I'm in this business and the more mompreneurs I meet the more I'm convinced that moms are the worlds forgotten innovators. When Alexis couldn't find what she needed to help bring some sanity to her new mom chaos she invented it! Of course, after chatting over a cup of coffee with Alexis and meeting her super cute son, Lucas, you end up walking away being impressed with how put-together she is and thinking 'if she had chaos I'm in a lot of trouble'. ;)

Baby's Little Log Book is a great new mom must-have and would make a thoughtful gift.

Here's a litte more about Alexis:

Q: What motivated you to start your business?
A: In the frustration of postpartum chaos, I actually set out to buy a log book, and when I didn’t find one, I made it myself. I found it so helpful that I assumed other moms would, too, and that’s what inspired me to publish it.

Q: What is the hardest part about owning your own business?
A: Time. I have a lot of ideas about how to grow my business, but finding the time to implement them is challenging. Since I’ve made a commitment to prioritize motherhood over “businesshood”, I limit my work time to naps and nights after my son is asleep. It is hard to keep the momentum going and stay focused within those small snippets of time.

Q: What is your business's biggest draw for San Diego folks?
A: I’m here! In addition to the book, I offer free presentations for local breastfeeding support groups and newborn playgroups to help ease that transition into motherhood. It’s amazing how universally challenging the postpartum time is, and also how universally surprised we all are to find ourselves thus challenged.

Q: Do you have any advice for expecting families?
A: Get clear about your real expectations of parenthood, and be prepared to have every one of them turned upside down. The more willing you are to let go of those expectations and be present for the new reality, the easier the transition will be for you, and the more you’ll enjoy your precious new baby.

Contact Alexis at:
(619) 507-2590
alexis@littlelogbook.com
www.littlelogbook.com

Baby Maven's Mother Circle!

2009-03-07T21:51:00.000-08:00

Did becoming a mother turn your world upside down and backwards?

Jodi, a mother in University City shares, “After I had Sammy I woke up one morning or afternoon, really who knows what time it was everything blended into one endless round of feedings and laundry, and catching sleep whenever I could. So I get up to wash my face and I look into the mirror. I don’t recognize the image in front of me. Who is this desperately tired person? She has deep circles under her eyes. She has a flabby belly. She is wearing mommy sweats. I don’t know her.”

Research shows that despite all preperation parents today are actually under prepared for the transition into parenthood. Many mothers find that their friendships, their marriages and their essential sense of self has changed. We are not prepared for this isolating upheaval and in modern life without our “tribe” right next door.

So what’s a girl to do? To the rescue: Baby Maven’s Mother’s Circle! This new group is a place for mothers to connect, share and learn. Facilitated by Carrie Grange Isaacson, LCSW a former adjunct lecturer at Columbia University; Carrie is an expert in Child Development and attachment and has a private practice specialized in working with parents.

Classes are forming now at So Childish (1947 30th Street) call 800.383.1790 or info@babymaven.org for exact times and registration. Mention Essential Baby Planner and receive one class FREE! $60 for a 6 week series visit www.babymaven.org for more info.

Y This is a great opportunity for new mamas!

Kid Ventures Grand Opening!

2009-03-07T21:04:00.000-08:00

KID VENTURES OPENS SATURDAY MARCH 14TH!

GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION SATURDAY APRIL 4TH!

It's official. Kid Ventures will open to the public on Saturday, March 14th at 8am. We are so excited to share this new creation with you.

Join us for the GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION on Saturday, April 4th from 12 to 4pm. Explore all that Kid Ventures has to offer, enjoy some light refreshments, sign up and get one-day super savings and prizes.

For details on rates, hours of operation and much more, check out the NEW Kid Ventures website at www.sdkidventures.com.

Kid Ventures, the Getaway Place for Kids...and Parents Too!

Y EBP will definitely be there at the Grand Opening!

Preg-tionary: Back Labor

2009-03-04T21:36:00.000-08:00

Back Labor

Q: What is back labor? And, how is it different from "regular" labor?
A: "Back labor" happens when the back of the baby's head is pressing against the mother's sacrum. The baby will often turn during labor, which can relieve some of this pressure and the pain associated with it.

Q: What can you do relieve the pain of back labor?
A: Here are a few suggestions:

Apply Counterpressure - have one of your birth attendants press firmly on your lower back during the intense part of a contraction. Using the heel of the hand usually works well.

Intensive Massage - a birth attendant can massage your lower back firmly with a tennis ball or small round massage tool.

Apply Heat or Cold - try a hot water bottle, heating pad or ice pack. Stick with whichever feels best.

Change Your Position - crouching on all fours relieves the pressure of the baby's head on your sacrum. Try having someone apply counterpressure while in this position.

Keep your focus on how fantastic it will feel to hold your new baby in your arms. Your almost there - hang on!

© Copyright Moss Greene. All Rights Reserved.

Cool MOMpreneur - San Diego Bargain Mama

2009-03-01T21:49:00.000-08:00

Check out local MOMpreneur and cool business . . .

San Diego Bargain Mama - San Diego's Resource for Mom's Who Love to Find Deals

Stacey Ross is the mastermind behind the local smash hit, San Diego Bargain Mama. With today's economy, Stacey's instincts to reach out to folks by informing everyone about the best bargains was timely to say the least. And of course, it's a topic that's most relevant to her because Stacey's main priority is being a mom to her two young kids. But don't let that fool you, Stacey has a keen business mind and knows how to work it. I remember the first time we talked - we actually spent over an hour just going over ways to network. We also spoke about how San Diego has such a great group of mompreneurs. :)

Read a little more about Stacey:

Q: What motivated you to start your business?
A: My family went from a two-income household to a one-income, with a much larger mortgage, two more mouths to feed and many more expenses. We experienced the crunch that many in our shoes do, and wanted to get creative as to how to still enjoy our lifestyle, yet with a heightened awareness of our new budget. As growing families, many of us need to watch our pocketbooks and not overspend. After great research, I found the need to focus on showcasing local bargains and sales to families, and saw the internet as the perfect medium to attract a community of savvy consumers.

Q: What is the hardest part about owning your own business?
A: I did not expect to have such an overwhelming reception so soon, so managing a new business while running a household with two young children is one of the biggest challenges I have had.

Q: What is your business's biggest draw for San Diego folks?
A: We attract folks who are looking to save money and time doing what they love most in San Diego. Whether they are looking for products, services or events, San Diego folks are sure to find huge value at competitive prices at San Diego Bargain Mama.com. To tops, they will find discounts that are not offered anywhere else!

Q: Do you have any advice for expecting families?
A: Time with our babies is more important than anything else. Nobody can replace the loving care of Mom and Dad.

You gotta check out Stacey's site at: www.sandiegobargainmama.com

Babies in Bloom Grand Opening!!

2009-02-26T13:05:00.000-08:00

Babies in Bloom - Grand Opening Event!

Please be our guest and join us as we celebrate the move to our new store. Come in and see our new space . . . receive a free gift . . . meet some of our instructors . . . sign up for a class or two . . . and maybe even win a cool prize (like a Pump in Style Advance breastpump)!

We will be donating 10% of our sales to the March of Dimes, March for Babies.

Where: 1988 Hacienda Dr
Vista, CA 92081

When: Saturday, Feb 28th

Time: 10am - 5pm

Website: www.babies-in-bloom.com

PH: 760-940-BABY

Hope to see you there!

Preg-tionary: Amniotic Flud

2009-02-25T12:40:00.001-08:00

Amniotic fluid is the nourishing and protecting liquid that surrounds the baby. At about 2 wks it's mainly water. After about 10 wks, the liquid contains proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and phospholipids, urea and electrolytes.

Amniotic fluid does get continually swallowed, inhaled and exhaled. The breathing of it helps in the development of healthy baby lungs. The swallowed parts contributes to the formation of meconium.

This is the fluid that gets analyzed when an amniocentesis is performed.

Too little or too much can be cause for concern or an indicator that something might be wrong with either the mom or the baby. Measuring fundal height helps your practitioner determine if your levels are good.

For more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amniotic_fluid

Top Blogs for Expecting Mom!

2009-02-21T15:52:00.000-08:00

Pregnant women are often overwhelmed with information relating to pregnancy, childbirth, and raising babies, but blogs are an excellent resource for straightforward, continually updating information. Whether you’re looking for safety tips, baby style, or just good old fashioned advice, there’s a blog out there for you. Check out this list to find the best blogs for moms to be.

Today's Category: General
These blogs cover everything from diapers to decor.

MomSquawk: MomSquawk offers tips on safety, decorating, health, and lots more.
Type-A Mom: Learn about mom stages, buying guides, and other topics important to moms on this blog.
ParentDish: ParentDish is full of great news, advice, and resources for new parents.
Crib Notes: Find out the latest news on health, labor, and more on this blog.
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Our next category: Pregnancy

As seen on www.ultrasoundtechnicianschools.org

RECALL: Old Navy Recalls Stuffed Toys

2009-02-20T15:22:00.000-08:00

Old Navy Recalls Stuffed Toys; Button Eyes Can Detach and Pose a Choking Hazard to Young Children

Name of product: Stuffed Animal and Creature Toys

Hazard: The stuffed toys have two button eyes that could detach from the toy, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Description: The stuffed animal and creature toys are made out of cotton and have plastic button eyes. They come in a variety of styles, such as a rabbit, penguin and reindeer. The recalled toys and style numbers are listed below:

Type of Stuffed Toy and Style Number:
- Brown Plaid Creature (Stubby Stuberson) 612756

- Pink Striped Dove 600571

- Grey Dog 600572

- Hot Pink Creature (Lucy Toothy) 612800

- White Dog (Dr. Poopsie) 612738

- Brown Penguin 612672

-Light Pink Rabbit 612671

- Brown Reindeer 612728

- Dark Pink Rabbit (Honey O'Bunny) 612806

The style number is located on a white label sewn into the side seam of the toy.

Sold at: Old Navy stores and on the Web at http://www.oldnavy.com/ from July 2008 through February 2009 for between $6 and $10.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled stuffed toy away from young children and return it to any Old Navy store for a full refund. If purchased online, contact Old Navy for instructions on returning the toy for a full refund. Consumers who return the toy before July 1, 2009 will also receive a $5 coupon toward a future Old Navy purchase.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Old Navy toll-free at (866) 580-9930 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, visit the firm's Web site at http://www.oldnavy.com/, or e-mail the firm at custserv@oldnavy.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09134.html

2009-02-19T20:28:00.000-08:00

Celebrate National Monarch Day with
Monarch Butterflies @ Shipley Nature Center
Free Admission
Saturday February 21st 10-11:30

Cool MOMpreneur - Roots and Wings Consulting

2009-02-18T20:36:00.000-08:00

Check out local MOMpreneur and cool business . . .

Roots and Wings Consulting - Stronger Individuals, Stonger Families, Stronger Communities

Aisha Pope is co-founder of Roots and Wings Consulting. Not only does her About page display an impressive list of credentials to support her calling but she's also a mom to a beautiful boy. She's been working with San Diego families for the past 9 year which definitely qualifies her as a 'resident'. When interviewed, Aisha came across as very personable, genuine and calm which made me instantly feel relaxed. I can see why she's successful with families. And I was impressed with her goal to help parents to early on decide and develop their positive parenting style.

Here's a little about Aisha . . .

Q: What motivated you to start your business?
A: My son was absolutely my motivation for starting Roots & Wings. Before he was born, I was working as a therapist primarily with children with special needs, and helping them learn to manage their behaviors and emotions. While I did provide some parenting support, it was almost an afterthought. After my son was born, I became acutely aware of how little support and preparation parents got, and just how significantly their feelings, confidence, and skills influenced how well their child could thrive. Learning about parenting for my sake and to help the kids I worked with became my passion. I studied Positive Discipline by Jane Nelsen, and knew immediately that this style of discipline was right for my family. Then I made it my business, literally and figuratively, to introduce other parents to it! At Roots & Wings Consulting, we work with families for therapy, parent coaching, and parenting classes, and have recently expanded to include teaching discipline techniques in schools and child care centers. Our mission: Stronger Individuals ~ Stronger Families ~ Stronger Communities

Q: What is the hardest part about owning your own business?
A: It would be a shorter list if I said what the easy parts are! To be able to stat a business doing something that you're this passionate about is nothing short of a blessing. To know that your work makes a difference in people's lives makes every hardship worthwhile. That said, I was trained as a therapist, not a business woman or a financial genius. What that means is I'm having to teach myself how to be a business woman. The research and preparation for starting your own business can be very time consuming. I honestly didn't know where to start at times, and sometimes I felt discouraged. Also, I, like most moms who go into business for themselves had visions of how this could free up so much more time for me to be with my family. In the beginning, it often takes so much work to start up that you may be just as busy as you would be if you were employed by someone else. What helps though is good boundaries. When you're self employed, it's easy to blur the boundaries between work life and home life, especially when you work from home, so it's important to remind yourself that work time is work time and family time is family time.

Q: What is your business's biggest draw for San Diego folks?
A: Roots & Wings Consulting provides individual, couples, and family therapy, parenting classes, parent coaching, and a variety of school based services. We provide our services throughout the county, and can work with families in their homes, at schools, or in our office. Parents have reported that they appreciate our experiential teaching methods, our solution focused approach, our commitment to respecting each family's unique goals, strengths and needs, and the way we package it all with fun and humor!

Q: Do you have any advice for expecting families?
A: Yes! First, take care of yourself! Children flourish and thrive when the adults around them are flourishing and thriving. While you nourish your new baby, nourish yourself - nourish your relationship, nourish your friendships, nourish your body, nourish your spirit, and nourish your mind. Second, give yourself permission to make mistakes. It takes some of the pressure off, and will ultimately teach your children to be more adventurous because they'll see that perfection is not expected, so it's ok to take risks. Next, understand that what your children will need from you most in the first few years of life is a sense of connection, and to develop the sense that they belong, and are significant. Do this by responding consistently to their needs during infancy, and then during their toddler years, giving them opportunities to help and contribute in meaningful ways to the family so that they can see that they are important and capable. Finally, enjoy your children. Yes, raising children is definitely work, but don't forget to have fun with it. Your children will thank you!

Contact Aisha at:
619.737.7721
info@contactraw.com
www.rootsandwingsconsulting.com

FREE eBook - Coping with Infertility

2009-02-17T12:02:00.000-08:00

1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men suffer from infertility.

"Ten percent of Americans are said to suffer from infertility. Infertility is not just a physical defect or a chemical imbalance. For you and your partner it can mean wave after wave of difficult decisions, awkward social questions, and volumes of uninvited advice from self-ordained experts. Unfortunately, we don’t have a say in whether we are one of the couples that will experience infertility.

The Emotional Journey of Infertility

Though you may well understand what your doctor has told you, there is still a journey that many make over and over when they are learning to live with infertility. There are eight steps that are commonly associated with this journey: surprise, denial, stress & anxiety, anger, self-blame, isolation, grief & depression, and ultimately acceptance."

This book walks you through the steps.

http://conceivableworld.com/QuickClicks/CopingwithInfertility/CopingWithInfertility

If you think this is something you may go through or are going through or know of someone, download the eBook and get some info. It's free and it could help.

Speaking of AMBER Alerts . . .

2009-02-16T10:10:00.001-08:00

Everyone's heard of AMBER Alerts. Everyone knows when AMBER Alerts get broadcasted. And with all the news about missing kids, I got to thinking about AMBER Alerts. Do I really know about AMBER Alerts?

Essential Baby Planner gives an AMBER Alert refresher . . .

Hearing an AMBER Alert is a parent's worst nightmare. That means someone's baby has been stolen and is in extreme danger. I couldn't even imagine what I go through if it got to the point where I needed an AMBER Alert.

Q: What is an AMBER Alert?
A: AMBER ALERT empowers law enforcement, the media and the public to combat abduction by sending out immediate, up-to-date information that aids in the child's safe recovery. Using radio, television, the internet, highway information signs, and even cell phone networks, AMBER ALERT gives the public the information needed to locate abducted children.

The AMBER ALERT Program has helped in successfully recovering over one hundred children since it was established statewide in California on July 31, 2002.

To be given the status of an AMBER Alert though means you've met very specific criteria.

Q: What are the AMBER ALERT Guidelines?
* AMBER ALERT may be activated only by law enforcement agencies.
* AMBER ALERT is intended only for the most serious, time-critical child abduction cases.
* AMBER ALERT is not intended for cases involving runaways or parental abduction, except in life-threatening situations.

Q: What are the criteria for activating an AMBER ALERT?
A: Law enforcement agencies ensure these conditions are met before activating an AMBER ALERT:
* The investigating law enforcement agency confirms an abduction has occurred.
* The victim is 17 years of age or younger, or has a proven mental or physical disability.
* The victim is in imminent danger of serious injury or death.
* There is information available that, if provided to the public, could assist in the child's safe recovery.

Q: Now as moms and dads and concerned citizens, what can we do to help?
* If you witness a child abduction, contact your local law enforcement agency or call 911 immediately! Provide information on the location of the abduction and a description of the victim, the suspect and/or any vehicle involved.
* If you hear an AMBER ALERT, watch for the child, suspect and vehicle described in the alert. Immediately report any sightings by calling 911 or the telephone number included with the alert. (Do not call 911 to request information about the abduction.)

Q: What are some tips to keep our kids safe?
* Teach your child these safety tips:
* Never get into anyone's car without your parents' permission.
* Move away from a car that pulls up beside you if you don't know the driver.
* Say, "No, thank you," if a stranger or someone else offers you candy or gifts.
* Never answer the door if you are home alone.
* Don't play in deserted buildings.

Another tip that I personally heard a long time ago and plan to set into action as soon as Camille get's old enough is creating a Secret Word. This is a word only you and your child know. It could be anything really but try something that's not too difficult or too common. Maybe something like pineapple or goldfish or daisy.
http://ezinearticles.com/?1-Child-Safety-Secret&id=1629160

Now that I'm more informed I'll be more aware of what an AMBER Alert really means. I hope no ever has the need but I'm glad we have a system in place just in case.

Thanks to the CHP for their super website.
http://www.chp.ca.gov/amber/index.html

Golf fun

2009-02-15T21:10:00.001-08:00

KinderGolf 1/2 Day Fun Camp
KinderGolf - Fountain Valley2/16/2009

Ages: 2-7 RSVP Required

Session 1 - 8:00am to 12:00pmSession 2 - 1:00pm to 5:00pm
No golf equipment required. All children will receive light snacks and gift.
Phone: (714) 839-4653

2009-02-15T21:08:00.000-08:00

Check out these cool giveaways!

http://organicbabyproducts101.com/

http://www.tottrendsweekly.com/mailinglist.php

Boppy vs My Brest Friend

2009-02-14T21:49:00.000-08:00

To Boppy or not to Boppy . . . that is the question. For expecting moms that is.

When I was first pregnant all I ever heard about was Boppy, Boppy, Boppy. So I figured that's what I would get. Done. Then during the final months all I ever heard about was MBF, MBF, MBF. Not the time to be creating indecision. What was a type A personality to do but research it!

Point #1: Ok, the Boppy is more crescent shaped while MBF is more square shaped. Meh, who cares.

Point #2: The Boppy has rounded corners while MBF has angled corners. Hmm. Does this really matter? Well, to me it did. With the Boppy my baby had a better chance to roll either towards me or away from me (and onto the floor perhaps?). MBF's angled corners gave my baby better stability and kept her in place. MBF also has a little bump where Camille could rest her head and reach me a little better.

Point #3: The Boppy is free floating while MBF has a strap to keep it connected. Huge point in my opinion! This was the turning point for me. I didn't always have someone there with me during all my times of breastfeeding and being able to get up when I needed to was great. You never know when the phone rings and you've forgotten to keep it next to you. Or maybe you all of a sudden start dying of thirst and you'd sell your husband for a drop of water (very common occurrence when breastfeeding).

The Boppy is great for helping baby with tummy time and later on when baby starts to sit up and needs the support and extra padding. I actually used my pregnancy sleep pillow. MBF has this cool little pocket to keep a few necessary items. I always kept a little baby brush, chapstick and nipple cream.

So, who wins? Personally, My Brest Friend comes out on top. Plus, it was recommended by my birth coach and it's what the Sharp lactation groups use. That was good enough for me.

But don't believe me - take them both for a test run.

‘Musubi’ Eating Contest!

2009-02-13T22:21:00.000-08:00

‘Musubi’ Eating Contest . . . need I say more?

Ha! Ok, well, if you don't know what a musubi is then you must have no connection to Hawaii or anyone who's ever been there. It's gotta be one of the favored foods of the gods. In it's most purest form it consists of spam wrapped in rice wrapped in seaweed. Think: big spam sushi. mmmMMMmmm!

And now, L&L Hawaiian Barbeque, in a burst of sheer genius has decided to hold a contest to eat the most. Actually, it's their second burst. These guys seem to be bursting all over the place. (ha, ha) My only complaint: they're not using spam!! They're using corned beef! Geez, if you can't handle the spam then clearly you need to get out of the Hawaiian kitchen.

Who: L&L Hawaiian Barbeque

Where: Mira Mesa Mall (Mira Mesa Blvd & Camino Ruiz)

When: Sun, Feb 15th

Time: 11AM

Site: http://www.hawaiianbarbecue.com/events.html

Winner advances to Hawaii to compete in the national finals in March.

Be on the look out for me!

Love of Learning Month - Learning Tower Giveaway

2009-02-13T15:36:00.000-08:00

To celebrate Love of Learning Month, 20 awesome bloggers have teamed up with the Little Partners, Inc. All month long, each blogger will be giving away one of these amazing Learning Towers! You still have 15 changes to win!

I absolutely love the Learning Tower. My kids have always liked helping in the kitchen, and the Learning Tower makes it possible for them to help with cooking and dishes (to reach to the counter) even for the little ones of the family. It’s best for kids 18 months and up and if you purchase it early - it will be in use for years to come and will be worth every penny. Learning Tower easily turns into a playhouse or a puppet theater with a help of a blanket.

It’s available in 9 non-toxic colors to match any kitchen. The Learning Tower is available to purchase online for $189.99, with free shipping.

To see how to enter click here . . .

Good luck!

RECALL: Disney Store Recalls Toy Tool Sets Due to Choking Hazard

2009-02-12T21:18:00.000-08:00

Disney Store Recalls Toy Tool Sets Due to Choking Hazard

Name of Product: Playhouse Disney "Handy Manny" Toy Tool Sets

Hazard: The tools contain eyes that can separate, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received three reports of detached eyes, including two reports of children who started to choke on the pieces. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled Playhouse Disney "Handy Manny" Tool Set is a plastic, eight-piece toy set that includes a tool box, hammer, saw, pliers, wrench, tape measure and two screwdrivers. The name "Handy Manny" is embossed on one side of the tool box. The UPC (#405144100614 or #422147400633) can be located on the product's packaging.

Sold exclusively at: The Disney Store nationwide from October 2007 through January 2009 for about $15.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy away from children and return it to any Disney Store for a full refund.

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09128.html

Valentine's Day Spa

2009-02-09T15:00:00.000-08:00

Here are some packages from Skin Deep Day Spa in Huntington beach....sounds like the perfect Valentine's gift idea! They do great pre-natal massages too : ) I know from experience!

Romantic Escape
Valentine Package
Zen Water Experience for Two (45 min)
Dreamy Massage for Two (40 min)
and a special gift to take home
$210 includes gratuity
(714) 841-3313
Call to schedule an appointment

Playdate

2009-02-09T14:42:00.000-08:00

Babies R Us in Westminster, CA is having their Wiggle and Giggle Playdate on Wednesday February 11th at 11:00am. Move, groove and sing along! Join them for stortytelling, fun crafts, and interactive play...while you meet other moms and share a few giggles along the way.

Sweet Hullabaloo Concerts!

2009-02-07T15:43:00.000-08:00

THIS WEEK:

My two favorite concerts are happening back to back this week:

On Sunday, February 8th we'll be at the Powerhouse Community Center (1628 Coast Blvd., Del Mar, CA 92014) at 1:00 p.m. Our friend, Melissa Green will open the show. The show is free and the Powerhouse Community Center is right on the beach in Del Mar. The views are amazing and there's lots of room for running around in the park or on the sand after the show.

The very next day, Monday, February 9th I'll be hosting a sing-along concert at the Encinitas Community Center (1140 Oakcrest Park Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024) at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome. Bring a friend or your whole playgroup! Suggested dontation: $5/family

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To listen to Hullabaloo, watch videos and check for upcoming shows, please visit www.hullabalooband.com

My baby loves loves loves Hullabaloo! If you've never been you gotta check out their FREE shows!

San Diego Zoo has changed their tune!

2009-02-06T19:52:00.000-08:00

If you live in SD and breath the air then you've heard the huge buzz going around about the San Diego Zoo's new food policy. Basically, this new policy stated "No outside food allowed". Mom's and dad's were outraged to say the least.

After days and days of the Zoo getting hit by email after email of folks complaining and threatening to not renew membership, the Zoo has relented!

Here's an excerpt from their 'new' response:

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The Zoo will continue to allow visitors and members to bring food and drinks in their purses, backpacks, diaper bags, and tote bags. No bags will be searched and no one will be asked if they are bringing food into the San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park. The intent of this policy is to direct guests and members who bring coolers and large food containers to dine at the picnic areas we've provided just outside the front entrance of both facilities. Caring for our animals is our top priority. By providing these meal locations, we will diminish the amount of trash that could have a negative impact on the animals in our care.
----------------------

Very different from what went out a few days ago when this all started.

Go SD parents! You shout about it and others listen!

FREE Introduction Sessions - Beautiful Babies & Bellies - Prenatal Fitness

2009-02-05T15:00:00.000-08:00

Are you trying to get pregnant and concerned about losing your shape? Or are you pregnant and don't know if you can exercise or continue to exercise? Maybe you recently had a baby and would like to get to your pre pregnant self.

FREE Introduction Sessions being held this month at Babies In Bloom in Vista.

Where:

Babies In Bloom

Located across the street from TriCity Medical Center

161 Thunder Drive, Suite 102

Vista, CA 92083

When:

Feb. 7th 10:30 - 11:30AM

Feb. 13th 3:00 - 4:00PM

Feb. 21st 10:30 - 11:30AM

Feb. 23rd 4:00 - 5:00PM

Site: http://www.beautifulbelliesandbabies.com

Y I just met Kimberly but she's already impressed with her passion to help preggie mamas stay fine and fit! Potential EBP Partner!

2009-02-05T13:17:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Nicole Lear and I am working with Carrie to set up a Satellite office of the Essential Baby Planner in the Orange County Area.
So here's a little about me...
I am a stay at home mom of two, my daughter Campbell is 3yrs old and my son Mason is 1. I went to Cal State Fullerton and graduated in 2005 with my BA in Human Services. My long term goal was to get my MS and then do social work...but when I graduated I was pregnant with my daughter, so I decided to be a stay at home mom and not work while the kids were young. But, times of changed and I long to do something on the side "in my spare time" (LOL!!). After I had my daughter, I told my husband (I had always been into party planning, weddings, baby showers,etc) that there should be a baby planner! The stress of finding the right items to buy was so overwhelming, not to mention all the other baby related "to do's" we had to figure out! Before my second child was born I had put together a "mother's book" and loaned it to many friends to help them out with their pregnancy and getting ready for there new arrival. I threw a couple showers and every body (including my event coordinator friends) said you should really get into this!! Then, last month I was reading this article in a parenting magazine that said they had baby concierge's now!! I was like OMG...I so should have done this 2yrs ago!! So I googled it and up popped the National Baby Planners Association and I searched and found Carrie!! We have been talking for a couple weeks now and things are getting serious, so here I am!
I am very excited to to get started in this new field and to work with moms to help ease the way and prepare them for baby!

Kidz 4 Kritterz benefit for Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary

2009-02-04T22:02:00.000-08:00

Hunter Hults started Kidz 4 Kritterz with friends because he felt that all animals deserve the same love and care that his Aunt Lisa gave her cats.

Please help Hunter raise $2,000 for grass to train dogs in the dog park.

When: Sunday February 8, 2009

Time: 11 am to 5 pm

Where: Ciao's Restaurant 2015 E. Vista Way Vista, CA 92084

Site: http://kidsforcritters.theb2bflyer.com/

Y EBP will be there! Stop by and say HI

Customer Appreciation Massage Month

2009-02-03T21:59:00.000-08:00

For the month of February, 'With Child Massage and Birthing Services' is only charging $39.99 for all massages if you mention Essential Baby Planner!

This is a great deal for expecting and new moms!

Brenda Korbecki is a Birth Doula and a Certified Pre and Perinatal Massage Therapist. As a Massage Therapist who specializes in prenatal massage, she can assist in other ways throughout your pregnancy. Whether it be with massage that focuses on the specific areas for pregnancy and prepare your body for birth or to give you exercises/stretches to prepare your body.

Please contact:

Brenda Korbecki
With Child Massage and Birthing Services
760-644-8892

Y And don't forget to mention EBP to get the great deal!

"SO SWEET" Valentine's Day Spa Special

2009-02-03T16:50:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day Special

"SO SWEET"

Sugar Polish Spa Massage

Perfect for Valentine's Day! Give this as a gift for your sweetie or treat yourself to the sweet bliss you deserve. Nothing makes you feel more like being in cupid's company than ultra-smooth skin and deeply relaxed muscles. Call for a gift certificate or to schedule this wonderful massage for yourself. This full-body massage includes a smoothing sugar back polish, steaming towels and a personalized blend of aromatherapy. It's just the thing when a little pampering is in order!

Don't wait until the last minute.

Call today 619-672-1380.

Treatment is approximately 75min - Special Price $105

Offer Expires Feb 14, 2009

See you soon,
Rachelle Clauson, HHPFlourish Bodywork
619 1/2 W. Fir St. San Diego, Ca 92101 www.FlourishBody.com

-------------------------

Rachelle does an amazing massage! If you're in the market you gotta check her out.

We're Looking for a Few Good Mamas

2009-02-02T20:37:00.000-08:00

Our photos are what Earth Mama Angel Baby is all about!

If you know a pregnant person who might like to slip on the angel wings and have her natural beauty celebrated by our esteemed pregnancy photographers LaurieL Photography Friday, March 13 in Vancouver, WA and Lori Dorman Photography Saturday, March 14 in Los Angeles, please have them contact us. We've set up a session in both Los Angeles, CA.

Earth Mama Angel Baby pays the sitting fee, and mamas can purchase pictures for their own personal use. What a sweet and glorious way to commemorate a pregnancy!

For more information, please call Deb at EMAB HQ, 503-607-0607 or email us at photoshoot@earthmamaangelbaby.com. They will be asked to sign a model release form, so we can use their beautiful pictures on our site or in our marketing materials.

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How sweet is this! Good luck pregnant mamas!

FREE Starting Your Own WordPress Blog!

2009-02-01T15:34:00.000-08:00

Step-by-Step to Writing Your First Post

A Teleworkshop with Alexis Ahrens

Attention Moms! Are you looking for a greater sense of community and connection?

Have you always wanted to write, but weren’t sure where to begin?

Would you like to have a blog, but have found a million ways to procrastinate starting one?

Well, procrastinate no longer! Unleash your creativity and share your new experiences! Sign up now for my FREE 30-minute Teleworkshop and I’ll hold your hand through the very simple process of starting your own blog using WordPress, all the way through setting up your template and writing your first post. We’ll do this in real time. You can even ask questions as you set up your blog. It couldn't get any easier!

What: Free Teleworkshop to start your own WordPress blog

When: Thursday, February 5th, 1:30pm PST (be sure to adjust for your time zone)

Where: The comfort of your own home!How:

To sign up, send an email to alexisahrens1@gmail.com with “Alexis, I want a blog” in the subject line. The information to join the Teleworkshop will be emailed to you.

CPSC Grants One Year Stay of Testing and Certification Requirements for Certain Products

2009-02-01T14:42:00.000-08:00

Looks like there's a reprieve for the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). This is great news for those small businesses and crafters. Let's hope that when the bill comes around again it'll be less ambiguous.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously (2-0) to issue a one year stay of enforcement for certain testing and certification requirements for manufacturers and importers of regulated products, including products intended for children 12 years old and younger. These requirements are part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which added certification and testing requirements for all products subject to CPSC standards or bans.

The stay of enforcement provides some temporary, limited relief to the crafters, children’s garment manufacturers and toy makers who had been subject to the testing and certification required under the CPSIA. These businesses will not need to issue certificates based on testing of their products until additional decisions are issued by the Commission. However, all businesses, including, but not limited to, handmade toy and apparel makers, crafters and home-based small businesses, must still be sure that their products conform to all safety standards and similar requirements, including the lead and phthalates provisions of the CPSIA.

Please visit the CPSC Web site at www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html for more information on all of the efforts being made to successfully implement the CPSIA.

Free Baby Class: Baby sign, clothes swaps, crafts, songs, lectures (Old Town)

2009-02-01T13:40:00.000-08:00

Just found this interesting item and thought I'd share it with Mom's looking for some good yet educational fun. Too bad for me - Camille is 21mo old.

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Infant to 1 year olds meet 9:00-12:00 Mondays in our new Old Town Child Development Room located at 2375 Congress St., 92110 . We sing fun songs, have a craft, baby clothes swaps, and now we are learning lots and lots of sign language. We have guest speakers come in to teach us about various topics. We've had a pediatrician come in to talk about brain foods, the American Red Cross spoke to us about disaster preparedness, the Burn Institute has been to visit, etc. Parent Participation classes are free through the San Diego Community College District. Call for more info. 619-388-1873.
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Check it out and let me know how it goes.

New Positive Discipline Class!

2009-01-30T23:02:00.000-08:00

This seven week course is based on Positive Discipline principles developed by Jane Nelsen rooted in Adlerian psychology which focuses on what children want most in the world, belonging and significance. Positive Discipline is for parents who are looking for long-term parenting skills that will encourage their children to think for themselves, become more responsible, and have a greater respect for themselves and others. The teachings of Positive Discipline are filled with non-punitive, respectful methods that will incorporate kindness and firmness into parenting, help parents get to the core of their child’s misbehavior, bring more joy into the home, and give parents a sense of accomplishment. This class is for parents and caregivers of kids aged 0-18.

Dailard Elementary School
6425 Cibola Road
San Diego, Ca 92120

Begins: February 19, 2009 Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm

Special Reduced Rate $150 Per Person $250 Per Couple

Facilitators Aisha Pope, LCSW and Talin Yesaie, MFT

RECALL: LUNA and Cliff Bar

2009-01-26T23:18:00.000-08:00

As many of you may have already heard, the FDA is investigating a Salmonella outbreak tied to peanut butter from the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). PCA is a manufacturer and supplier of peanut butter for many food companies and manufacturers. For a limited time in 2008, we used PCA peanut butter in some of our products.

In light of this investigation, and with an abundance of caution, Clif Bar & Company has enacted a voluntary recall of 14 of our products containing peanut butter in the U.S., and 4 products containing peanut butter in Canada.

Please know that no other Clif Bar & Company products or flavors are included in this recall. As you know, we have many other products that you can safely enjoy.

If you have additional questions, please contact us at www.clifbar.com or Clif Bar & Company at 1-800-CLIFBAR (1-800-254-3227) for additional details.

Products Affected By Recall in the UNITED STATES, 14 products in all packs and sizes in retail, including:

LUNA Nutz Over Chocolate® BEST BY: 29JUL09 to 03OCT09, and 11NOV09 to 14NOV09
LUNA® Peanut Butter Cookie BEST BY: 02OCT09 to 03OCT09, and 11NOV09 to 14NOV09
CLIF BAR Crunchy Peanut Butter BEST BY or SELL BY: 21JUN09 to 01OCT09, and 03NOV09 to 28NOV09
CLIF BAR Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch BEST BY or SELL BY: 21JUN09 to 01OCT09, and 03NOV09 to 28NOV09
CLIF BAR Peanut Toffee Buzz® BEST BY or SELL BY: only 13SEP09
CLIF Builder?s® Peanut Butter SELL BY: 19JUL09 to 30SEP09, and 05NOV09 to 18NOV09
CLIF Kid Organic ZBaR? Peanut Butter BEST BY: 07JUL09 to 05SEP09, and 12NOV09
All MOJO® and MOJO® Dipped bars BEST BY: 30APR09 ? 21JUN09

Products Affected By Recall in CANADA, 4 products in all packs and sizes in retail, including:

CLIF® BAR Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch / Brisures de Chocolat aux Arachides Croquants Expiry Date/Date d?Expiration: 2009SE07
CLIF BAR Crunchy Peanut Butter / Beurre d?Arachide Croquant Expiry Date/Date d?Expiration: 2009SE06 to 2009SE11, and 2009NO13
CLIF® BAR Peanut Toffee Buzz® / Toffee et ArachidesExpiry Date/Date d?Expiration: 2009SE12
CLIF Builder?s® Peanut Butter / Beurre d?ArachideExpiry Date/Date d?Expiration: 2009JU20 and 2009AU20

Create Your Free Baby Website!

2009-01-26T22:50:00.000-08:00

Baby Home Pages.net is offering the opportunity to start documenting your child’s journey via a personal website that can be shared with family and friends. Their website has many features, including - unlimited photo download, audio, video, guestbook comments, Ecards, and access to our message board community.

Create a digital scrapbook of your favorite child (or children) quickly and easily!

BabyHomePages.net allows you to instantly create a dynamic website for your favorite little one. Share it with friends and family. You can even build a website to document your pregnancy. BabyHomePages.net gives you a safe, private, easy and free way to share these first precious months and years!

Every BabyHomePages.net website includes features that will help you make the site uniquely yours.

We've done all the dirty work so it's easy to create your baby website - no experience in computer programming or graphic design required! All you need is a computer, a digital camera (or a photo scanner), and a few minutes to get started.

Take a look around their site. It looks like a great, easy way to start an online journal of your pregnancy, birth experience and new baby life!

Y BabyHomePages.net is an Essential Baby Planner Partner who has offered an awesome deal for our clients!

Earth Mama Angel Baby - Amazing News!

2009-01-24T20:14:00.000-08:00

TOXIN-FREE FIRST BATHS FOR BABIES WITH EARTH MAMA ANGEL BABY

January 22, 2009 – Clackamas , Oregon – Babies born at Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital (www.keepingyouwell.com) are getting their pure, worry-free first baths courtesy of products from Earth Mama Angel Baby®. The "go organic" program, which began on January 5th, was started because the hospital (located in a suburb of Chicago) made the decision to offer only personal care products and samples for mamas and babies that are 100 percent toxin-free, cruelty-free, vegan and free from all artificial preservatives, fragrances and dyes. They chose Earth Mama Angel Baby as the brand that exemplifies those qualities.

All new moms receive a gift bag filled with Angel Baby Lotion, Angel Baby Shampoo and Body Wash , Angel Baby Bottom Balm and Monthly Comfort Tea. Breastfeeding moms also receive Natural Nipple Butter. Women experiencing the loss of miscarriage or stillbirth take comfort with a gift set that includes Light of My Heart Candle set, No More Milk Tea, Healing Heart Pack and other Earth Mama Angel Baby items.

In addition to the products used by the hospital staff for newborn babies and their mothers, support classes offer pure, natural samples to help educate parents about safe ingredients in personal care products. Prenatal class participants and patients receive samples of Earth Mama Body Butter, Natural Stretch Oil and Morning Wellness Tea.

Check out Earth Mama Angel Baby at:
www.earthmamaangelbaby.com

FREE Hullabaloo Event!

2009-01-22T14:08:00.000-08:00

Sorry, Moms, for the late notice but if you can make it this looks great. And Hullabaloo is always a kid fav.

Date: Friday January 23, 2009

Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Location: Scripps Mende Well Being - UTC

Notes:
Hullabaloo is farm-fresh, free-range, organic kid-folk in a genre filled with musical Twinkies and Ding-Dongs. Don’t get us wrong (and please don’t sue us Hostess Foods Inc.), Twinkies and Ding-Dongs are great in small doses. But, after a while, you need something with a little more substance. Please RSVP by calling 858-626-6944. Suggested donation of $5/family.

I'm definitely going with my daughter Camille. Hope to see you there!

Huge Savings Opportunities at JoggerMom

2009-01-19T18:21:00.000-08:00

If you're looking to buy a stroller I gotta tell you . . . you must check out Joggermom.com

Joggermom is having some great sales and give aways betweens now and Feb 8th.

What you can get:

All Baby Jogger City strollers and BOB strollers are on sale until Feb 8th.
Anyone who purchases a stroller is automatically entered to win a FREE month of Stroller Strides Classes.
Buy a new stroller from Joggermom and shipping is FREE.

Never heard of Joggermom? It's a great site to see what's out on the market for jogging strollers and they have an awesome service for both 1st timers and old timers going on their 2nd or maybe even 3rd babies. The service I'm speaking of is that they provide 'test drives'! Grab a bunch of your mommy friends, at least 5, and sign up. Kelly, Joggermom herself, will bring the strollers to you, let you test them out for free and give pointers on what might work best for you.

Now that's pretty cool.

Parent Connection Family Swap Meet 2009

2009-01-18T20:58:00.000-08:00

Come out and enjoy this season's Family Swap Meet hosted by Parent Connection!

Here's a little peak at the basic info for the first Family Swap Meet in '09.

When: Sunday, April 26

Time: 9am to 1pm

Where:

Canyon Crest Academy

5951 Village Center Loop Rd

San Diego, CA 92130

Admission: $2/person with kids under 12 free

EBP will definitely be there. Come on out and say hi!

Style Child Furniture Sale!

2009-01-18T20:29:00.000-08:00

20% - 50% off all in stock Nurseryworks furniture!

Local store, Style Child, is holding an MLK furniture sale. If you've never been, they're a super cute, upscale, children's boutique. They've got a nice selection of high end diaper bags and kid's clothes. As well as tons of namebrand shoes! They also carry a bit of furniture and bedding.

"Located in the heart of San Diego’s most trendy, urban village, Style Child is in the center of all that Hillcrest has to offer. Walk along tree-lined streets to shops, boutiques, bookstores, antique stores, galleries, and more. Stop for lunch in a wide selection of elegant restaurants and sidewalk cafés that are on every street. Enjoy ethnic specialties, coffee and unique snacks to make your day complete."

This place is definitely worth taking a look at and if you're in the market to build your nursery, go now and take advantage of the sale.

Good sale hunting all!

Cute Baby Announcements Sale!

2009-01-17T20:55:00.000-08:00

Ran across the Pretty in Prints site today and saw that they're having a great special that I simply just had to pass on!

Pretty in Prints owner Christine Black, in an effort to generate clients and 'vamp up her portfolio', is offering to create a custom design for just what you need. That's a pretty awesome deal. But you gotta jump on it - it only lasts until March 1st. Sounds like a great idea for Valentine's Day cards!

Check her out at http://www.prettyinprints.com/index.php

Good sale hunting!

Squeaky Shoes Sale!

2009-01-17T20:46:00.000-08:00

These shoes are too cute! My mom actually bought Camille 2 pairs last summer and seriously, they were great. Super flexible - a must have when looking to buy good shoes for those early walkers. Super adorable - a must have for all moms. Super wide - a must have for my daughter. ;)

Anyway, I loved them and I just saw that a few styles are on sale. Check out their site at http://www.kidswithstyle.net/index.htm. The only issue is, unless you're heading up to San Luis Obispo, you'll have to pay for shipping. But at $4.80 for 1 pair that's not too bad. And the price gets better the more you buy.

Oh, and in case you're wondering - yes, you can remove the squeaker. I did.

*sigh* If I hadn't already bought a couple pairs of Robeez I'd jump on these.

Good sale shopping!

Sale on Robeez Shoes!!

2009-01-16T15:18:00.000-08:00

Ok moms, you gotta check out the awesome sale at Robeez! It's a 40% off sale with some shoes as low as $19.99! And they're cute! My guess is that they're trying to offload last season's overstock. All the better for you, my friends.

Ok, sure I really only clicked through to the little girl's section but I'm sure the boy's side is just as 'cute' in their own little boy way. You just can't beat Robeez especially at these prices.

And did I mention that you get FREE shipping if you buy 2 or more pairs!

*sigh* if only I hadn't already bought Camille 2 pairs. ;)

Happy shopping!

RECALL: Simplicity's Rainforest(tm) Portable Play Yards

2009-01-15T22:11:00.000-08:00

Fisher-Price Recalls Simplicity's Rainforest(tm) Portable Play Yards Due to Fall and Entrapment Hazards

Hazard: One or more rails can collapse unexpectedly, posing a fall or entrapment hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: Due to Simplicity Inc. and SFCA Inc. being unresponsive to consumers via their Hotline and Web site, a significant number of complaints were recently reported. There have been at least 1,350 reports of one or more rails collapsing. There were numerous reports of children receiving bumps and bruises when the side rail collapsed. There were five reports of injuries which included a broken nose, a broken wrist, a mild concussion, a cut to the hand which required stitches, and a chipped tooth.

Description: The recalled play yards are portable and were sold with a bassinet, changing table, and mobile features. The products have a Rainforest(tm) patterned fabric, Rainforest themed artwork and bear the "Fisher-Price" logo. The Simplicity Inc. model numbers are 5310 RNF, 5310RNFC, and 5310RNFW. The model number is located on a sticker on one of the legs underneath the play yard.

Sold at: Retailers and specialty children's stores nationwide from January 2007 through January 2009 for about $100.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the play yards immediately. Although it did not manufacture or sell the play yards, Fisher-Price has voluntarily agreed to assist consumers who own the products. Consumers who own one of the recalled play yards with the Fisher-Price logo should contact Fisher-Price to obtain assistance to replace their play yards.

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including a picture of the recalled product, please go to:http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09098.html

RECALL: Stork Craft Cribs

2009-01-13T21:04:00.000-08:00

Stork Craft Recalls More Than 500,000 Cribs; Mattress Support Bracket Failures Create Risk of Entrapment and Suffocation

Hazard: The metal support brackets used to support the crib mattress and mattress board can crack and break. When one or more support brackets break, the mattress can collapse and create a dangerous gap between the mattress and crib rails, in which a child can become entrapped and suffocate.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC is aware of 10 incidents in which one or more mattress support brackets broke. In several incidents, the support bracket broke causing the mattress to collapse and create a gap between the mattress and crib rails. CPSC received a report of a toddler who sustained bruises to his forehead. In another incident a child reportedly became entrapped in the gap between the mattress and the drop side rail with no injury.

Description: This recall involves Stork Craft Baby cribs. All cribs with manufacturing and distribution dates between May 2000 and November 2008 are included in this recall. The cribs were sold in various styles and finishes. The manufacture date, model number, crib name, country of origin, and the firm's name, address, and contact information are located on the assembly instruction sheet attached to the mattress support board. The firm's insignia "storkcraft baby" is inscribed on the drop side teething rail of some cribs.

Remedy: CPSC urges parents and caregivers to immediately stop using the recalled cribs and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Consumers should contact Stork Craft to receive a free replacement kit, with new mattress support brackets.

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recall product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09093.html

Cool MOMpreneur - Budget Sense

2009-01-12T14:22:00.000-08:00

Check out a local MOMpreneur and cool business . . .

Budget Sense - Take Charge of your Household Finances

Chris Norita is owner and founder of Budget Sense. She's also mom to Nick and Aaron and married to hubby, Mark. Her business helps families create a budget that makes sense for their income and the lifestyle they're looking to keep or to attain. My first thought when hearing about this was what a great service for expecting families! This would give them the financial structure they need if they intend to be a one income family.

A little about Chris:

Q. What motivated you to start your business?
A. My mom and I were talking about her household finances one day in 2007, discussing how I could analyze her cash flow and help her with a budget. She told me I should offer that as a business service. It was my epiphany. After working in the corporate world, creating and analyzing budgets, then spending many years developing at-home strategies and tools to manage my household finances, I knew my passion was in helping others develop these strategies and tools for their finances.

Q. What is the hardest part about owning your own business?
A. As a business owner and sole employee, it’s ensuring I continue to build my business while I work with clients. It’s so easy to get caught up in servicing your current clients, but I understand the importance of planning for my business’s future.

Q. What is your business's biggest draw for San Diego folks?
A. My services come to the clients, in the privacy and security of their homes. We take their specific circumstances and financials to assess their needs, develop the appropriate goals, and determine the best course of action to move forward with their goals. I specialize in helping them develop a household budget to gain control over their cash flow and to plan better now and in the future.

Q. Do you have any advice for expecting families?
A. You should know there are plenty of resources available to assist you in this stage of your life. But it’s not just about waiting for the bundle of joy on their birthday. From a financial standpoint, having a child is a very extraordinary time of life that requires planning and saving. Just as with any other “goal”, you’ll want to break it down into manageable pieces; like prenatal care, hospital and delivery costs, nursery set-up, baby clothes and other care items. These can cost upwards of a few thousand to several thousand depending on your circumstances. And of course there’s all the costs after you bring your baby home (i.e. food, clothing, toys, possible childcare, saving for their education, etc.). Having realistic expectations and having a means of planning and tracking these costs can help reduce financial stress and allow you to enjoy all the amazing moments your new baby brings.

Contact Chris at:
(760)715-0452
budgetsense@cox.net
http://www.mybudgetsense.com/

Y Chris is also an EBP partner offering a great discount to my clients!

EBP on PregTASTIC!

2009-01-09T19:57:00.000-08:00

Check out my interview on PregTASTIC internet radio! That was a super fun interview with a super group of gals. I was even invited to join the inner circle and become one of them when I have my next baby. They're interested in the point of view of an older mom going on her second baby while trying to run a business. Lol, can't wait to hear that myself.

http://www.pregtastic.com/baby-planner/

Much love,
Carrie

Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA): Good or bad??

2009-01-09T18:55:00.000-08:00

The issue:

In 2007, large toy manufacturers who outsource their production to China and other developing countries violated the public's trust. They were selling toys with dangerously high lead content, toys with unsafe small part, toys with improperly secured and easily swallowed small magnets, and toys made from chemicals that made kids sick. Almost every problem toy in 2007 was made in China.

The United States Congress rightly recognized that the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) lacked the authority and staffing to prevent dangerous toys from being imported into the US. So, they passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) in August, 2008. Among other things, the CPSIA bans lead and phthalates in toys, mandates third-party testing and certification for all toys and requires toy makers to permanently label each toy with a date and batch number.

This law will go into affect on Feb 10, 2009.

Now, we're all for testing and regulating and making things safer for our kids. Heck, who would vote against that. The problem with this law is that it doesn't take all the repercussions into account. It will absolutely decimate the small toy manufacturers, independent artisans, and crafters. Already, reading through the several web articles zipping through the ether, many small businesses are planning on going out of business.

So you ask, 'How is this law going to shut down these businesses?'. For example, a toymaker who makes wooden cars in his garage in Maine to supplement his income cannot afford the $300 - $4,000 fee per toy that testing labs are charging to assure compliance with the CPSIA. The result, unless the law is modified, is that handmade children's products will no longer be legal in the US.

What to do? I hate that all these small children's stores and businesses will go out of business. I love the items they create. And why should the small retail shop who imports natural toys from Europe, who has very stringent toy regulations, have to pay for a testing label on everything they import? But I also love that there will be a law that will ensure that our kids will have safe toys, clothes and anything else they can put into their mouths. And that we don't have to rely on reading all those recall notices to see what's safe today.

Check out the news and chime in.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-thrift2-2009jan02,0,2083247.story
http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/Home
http://coolmompicks.com/savehandmade/

How to: Feng Shui Out Your Nursery

2009-01-09T15:36:00.000-08:00

Easy breazy tips for the innovative mom to do it herself.

Prepping the room for baby :

Once we've got the room selected, we've gotta get it ready.

Needless to say - all renovations should be done before baby arrives. We definitely don't want baby hanging out in a room that's still being painted or whatnot!

Today's baby rooms are not the ones your moms made for us. They're lively and funky and they reflect our personalities or hopes. The sky's the limit so make sure you go for it.

Let's talk paint. Check out the greener alternatives with low- to no-VOCs. VOC stands for volatile organic compound. Basically, they cause those horrid toxic fumes that are given off when painting and can actually be harmful to you and your baby. Another 'green' alternative are natural paints such as milk paint. Whatever you choose, all the experts advise you to paint at least one month before your baby will sleep in it in order to ensure airing out of any residual fumes and solvents and mom should not be the one painting (remember the fumes). Sorry papa but this chore is all yours!

Let's talk color. Sticking to the pastels is always a good choice but definitely liven up the room with splashes of great color.

Shades of blue encourages relaxation. It's typically associated with peace, healing and meditation. A light shade could be a wonderful choice.
Shades of red is a very active color. It's typically associated with passion, power and sometimes good luck. Although too exhuberant for a nursery, accent pieces can really jazz things up.
Pink is the color of love and a softer version would be another wonderful choice.
Shades of green encourages serenity and growth. It's typically associated with nature and has the potential to both calm and revitalize. A soft green is a great choice particularly for our city babies as a way to connect with nature.
Shades of yellow encourages clarity. It's associated with the sun and 'sheds' light on our lives. A pale shade will be uplifting without interfering with sleep.
Shades of purple encourages a sense of calm. It's associated with spirituality and royalty! Stick to lighter versions like lavender though since the more intense shades can be too stimulating.
Shades of orange encourages happiness. But like red is better left to the accents.
Shades of white?? Lol, oh yeah it's there. White encourages a sense of cleanliness and is associated with purity. Definitely accent it with some great color or try off-white to bring in a little yellow or try beige.
Shades of black encourages creativity. It's associated with the unconscious. However, it can be oppressive for a nursery so try it on accent pieces.

Let's talk flooring. If you're renovating, hurray! Your options are great! But again this is daddy's chore so make sure he reads this. Your best choices are hardwood, cork, ceramic tile and bamboo. Then place some super-duper smaller rugs made of untreated, natural fibers. If you have carpet, make sure you do some regular vacuuming with a HEPA vacuum. Be careful if your planning on replacing your carpet, though. New carpet can release VOC fumes for years. And mommy's should stay out of the house for at least 7 days.

HTH. Check out 'The Peaceful Nursery' for more info.

-EBP

CPSC's Top Most Wanted Recalls

2009-01-04T16:21:00.000-08:00

US Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued it's Top Most Wanted Recalls list

In no particular order . . .

1. Infants Strangled to Death in Simplicity Bassinets: CPSC Urges Consumers To Stop Using Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 Convertible “Close-Sleeper” Models

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents and caregivers to stop using convertible “close-sleeper/bedside sleeper” bassinets manufactured by Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa. CPSC has learned that on August 21, 2008, a 5-month-old girl from Shawnee, Kan. was strangled to death when she became entrapped between the bassinet’s metal bars. This is the second strangulation death CPSC has learned of in the close-sleeper bassinets. On September 29, 2007, a 4-month-old girl from Noel, Mo. became entrapped in the metal bars of the bassinet and died.

2. Kolcraft Recalls Play Yards After the Death of a 10-Month-Old Child

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kolcraft Enterprises Inc., of Chicago, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 425,000 infant play yards following the death of a child. CPSC received a report of a 10-month old boy who strangled on the changing table’s restraint strap that was hanging down into Kolcraft’s “Sesame Beginnings” Travel Play Yard where the child was located. Twelve different Kolcraft play yards are included in this recall. All of the play yards have raised changing tables with a restraint strap that forms a loop beneath the changing table, posing a strangulation hazard to a child in the play yard.

3. About 1 Million Simplicity Cribs Recalled Due To Failures Resulting in Infant Deaths

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is announcing today a voluntary recall with Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa., of about 1 million cribs. The drop-side can detach from the crib, which can create a dangerous gap and lead to the entrapment and suffocation of infants. CPSC is aware of two deaths in Simplicity manufactured cribs with older style hardware, including a 9-month-old child and a 6-month-old child, where the drop-side was installed upside down. CPSC is also aware of seven infant entrapments and 55 incidents in these cribs.

4. Playskool Voluntarily Recalls Toy Tool Benches after the Death of Two Toddlers

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Playskool, of Pawtucket, R.I., is voluntarily recalling about 255,000 Team Talkin' Tool Bench toys following the deaths of two young children. Playskool received reports that a 19-month-old boy from Martinsburg, W.V., and a 2-year-old boy from League City, Texas, suffocated when oversized, plastic toy nails sold with the tool bench toys became forcefully lodged in their throats. Though the toy nails are not considered a small-part, and the toys are intended for children age 3 and older, Playskool is voluntarily conducting a recall as a precaution to prevent additional incidents.

5. Infant Death Prompts Recall To Repair 600,000 Drop Side Cribs By Delta Enterprise; Spring Peg Failure Can Cause Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Delta Enterprise Corp., of New York, N.Y., is announcing the voluntary recall today of about 600,000 drop side cribs. The crib’s drop side can detach when the spring peg is not engaged, which can cause an entrapment and suffocation risk to infants and toddlers. CPSC staff is aware of a death of an 8-month-old child who suffocated when the drop side of his crib detached. CPSC is also aware of one child entrapment and one incident in which the drop side detached due to a disengaged spring peg.

6. MEGA Brands Recalls Magtastik and Magnetix Jr. Pre-School Magnetic Toys; Ingested Magnets Pose Aspiration and Intestinal Hazards

Magnets in the small flexible parts of the animals, vehicles and building sets can detach. Magnets found by young children can be swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforations or blockages, which can be fatal. MEGA Brands and CPSC have received 19 reports of magnets coming loose, including one report of a 3-year-old boy receiving medical treatment to remove a magnet from his nasal cavity and one report of an 18-month-old boy with a magnet in his mouth, which was not swallowed.

Rate That Kid's Menu: Burger Lounge

2008-12-27T23:43:00.000-08:00

Does the Burger Lounge kid's menu hold up? Check it out . . .

Restuarant: Burger Lounge

Address: 4116 Adams Ave. They also have sites in Coronado and La Jolla

Meal: Lunch

Rating: Y

Comment: Great, great healthy menu for adults - not so good for toddlers. Everything is cooked super healthy, offering grass fed beef, turkey and veggie burgers. Plus yummy chicken tenders on a stick. Add a couple of side options and you've got their menu. Kid's menu is simply smaller versions of mom's. Not good for a 20mo old. Camille tried the chicken tenders but the pieces were too large and a little tough for her ability to chew. And we're looking for something healthier then fries as a side. So, although it rocked for us we still have to give the Burger Lounge kid's menu a solo star.

Crazy Baby Hair! Detangle me!

2008-12-24T00:10:00.000-08:00

On a personal note:

I've been going nutso over here trying to figure out how to handle my daughter's crazy, curly, baby hair! I was on verge of going on to the parenting groups and posting a plea for some amazing mom to help me out and drop some hair wisdom in my lap.

Background: My husband's black and I'm pacific islander (shout out to my Guam peeps!). My husband is the oldest of 4 boys which translates down to . . . no help whatsoever. My dd now has a wonderfully beautiful full head of georgeous curls. The problem . . . combing through that hot mess without her ending up in tears.

And, yes I've asked many, many mom-friends how they do it and have gotten back many, many different answers. Even different answers from the same folks! Hence, my current state.

Solution: I've been going through all the 'tangle-free' products and different style brushes I could get my hands on. And, frankly none of them worked. My heart was breaking every morning (or whenever we got to it ;) hearing my baby crying because we have to brush her hair.

Then I finally stumbled onto an awesome product. "Baby Basics - Spray on Hair Detangler". I LOVE it. It's not a goopy gel. Her hair does get wet (it is a spray) but it dries nice and light, not weighted down. And it feels so soft, so no drying out! Love this stuff!

I'm telling you mom, give this detangler a try and I bet you'll be blogging it too.

RECALL: Munire Recalls "Newport Rubbed Black" Cribs and Matching Furniture

2008-12-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

Munire Recalls "Newport Rubbed Black" Cribs and Matching Furniture Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Name of Product: Newport Rubbed Black 4-in-1 Cribs and Matching Furniture

Hazard: The red paint which is underneath the black finish paint on some of the cribs and matching furniture exceeds federal lead limits. If ingested by young children lead can cause adverse health effects.

Incidents/Injuries: Munire has received one report of a child ingesting the paint. The child was diagnosed with lead poisoning.

Description: The recalled cribs and furniture are made of wood and have a rubbed black finish. Only the "Newport Rubbed Black" cribs and matching furniture manufactured in Indonesia between April 2006 and November 2008 are included in this recall. The model number, date, and country of manufacture are printed on the label attached to the side panel of the crib and the date of manufacture is on the back panel of the furniture. Models listed below are included in the recall:

Model and Name

7900 Newport Lifetime Crib
7918 Hutch for Combo & Double Dresser

7915 Mirror

7908 Combo

7902 Nightstand

7907 Conversion Kit for Lifetime Crib

7905 5 Drawer Dresser

7929 Armoire

7975 Guardrail for Lifetime Crib

7906 Double Dresser

7914 Bookcase

7901 Newport OldeWorld Crib

Sold at: Specialty furniture stores nationwide from April 2006 through November 2008 for about $600 for the crib and the matching furniture pieces were sold between $700 and $1,000. Additional accessories were sold for about $170.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the products and contact Munire Furniture to receive a replacement coupon which will entitle consumers to exchange the products for another product free of charge.

Consumer Contact: For more information, call Munire Furniture toll-free at (866) 586-9639 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at http://www.munirefurniture.com/

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including a picture of the recalled product, please go to:http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09075.html

RECALL: Phil & Teds Strollers Due to Fall Hazard

2008-12-17T22:09:00.000-08:00

Regal Lager Recall to Replace Phil & Teds Strollers Due to Fall Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Phil & Teds Dash Buggy Strollers

Hazard: The frame handle could fail to latch properly and break, posing a fall hazard to small children.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves Phil & Teds Dash Buggy strollers with article #7-1080005 (red) and article #7-10080005 (black). The strollers have a metal frame with three wheels, a cloth seat, and a canopy. The Phil & Teds logo is located on the crotch piece of the harness. The article number can be found on the safety strap hanging from the handle.

Sold through: Various independent juvenile specialty stores and online from July 2008 through September 2008 for between $500 and $600.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using this stroller immediately and contact the company for a replacement stroller frame.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Regal Lager at (800) 593-5522 or visit the Company's Website at www.regallager.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including a picture of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09067.html

Baby Star Holiday Giveaway!

2008-12-16T16:39:00.000-08:00

win FREE baby star goodies this holiday season!

baby star sends you warm wishes for a festive holiday season! in the spirit of the season and to celebrate babies, baby star is giving away amazing gifts throughout the holiday season. from the essential gown and matching blanket to a bedding set, there is ample opportunity to win your favorite baby star item. you can enter now by filling out your email then simply enter two email address of your friends that you think would love to also win and we will forward the great contest on to them. cheers, baby star

holiday giveaways from baby star

december 22: cariboo bassinet with baby star inserts view

Cool Gear - ITZBEEN Timer

2008-12-13T22:16:00.000-08:00

Way cool gear . . . love to have it!

'Introducing the first tool that helps new parents remember the details of baby care.'

Ok, you expecting parents have gotta check this out. It's a cool new gadget that electronically keeps track of all the little things that are necessary when you first bring baby home. And just like the inventors I tried all the journals and tricks they teach you in your birthing class but none of that stuck. Face it, when we're getting three maybe four hours of sleep throughout the day and running on a pb&j you slapped together for breakfast there's no way you're going to have the brain power to remember to write everything down.

This lovely little thing remembers it all for you with a push of a button. It keeps track of the last time there was a changing, a feeding, sleeping/waking, medicine, exercise, etc. It has a little light to help you do things in the dark as well as a backlight for reading it in the dark. There's a clip so you can hook it on things and an alarm. And the kicker - it also reminds mom which side she last fed baby on!! I'd buy this thing just for that!

Check it out!

Rate That Kid's Menu: IHOP

2008-12-07T22:08:00.000-08:00

How does IHOP's kid's menu hold up? Check it out . . .

Restaurant: IHOP

Meal: Breakfast

Rating: YYYYY

Comment: IHOP has a great breakfast menu for tots. I was so happy with it. They even offer a healthy alternative. I got Camille the Create-A-Face Pancake that actually comes with a tube of yogurt. She loved it!

Mucho props to IHOP! Great kid's menu!

Rate that Kid's Menu - Intro

2008-12-07T21:24:00.000-08:00

Ok, we all know that nearly every restaurant has a kid's menu . . . but when you actually sit down to order nothing on there looks healthy or it's all for much older kids. We don't go out very often but when we do I'd like to go someplace that actually offers something good for my 19mo old.

The format will be:

Restaurant Name
Address (if appropriate)
Meal type (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Rating (out of 5)
Comment

If anyone would like to comment and share their experiences that would be great. Also, if you'd like to submit a restaurant up for review just let me know.

Happy eating!

EBP interview with PregTASTIC

2008-12-06T21:35:00.000-08:00

EBP is on the net again!

Check out my interview with Patti Hildreth and the girls from PregTASTIC online radio! The podcast should be available this coming Tuesday the 9th on their website www.pregtastic.com.

This show has a great setup. There were three pregnant ladies there today - Christine, Sarah & Kate - all were different ages, different backgrounds, different stages of pregnancy. Two are on their first pregnancies. We all sat around a table and chatted while Patti's husband Royce recorded the whole thing. It was fun and cozy.

If you're pregnant this is definitely a wonderful resource for you. Take a look at their website and some of the amazing guests they've had on there.

Cheers!

RECALL: JCPenney Recalls Arizona Newborn and Infant Pants Due to Choking Hazard

2008-11-27T11:12:00.000-08:00

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with J.C. Penney Corporation, Plano, TX, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately.

Name of Product: Arizona(r) Newborn and Infant Denim Pants

Hazard: The metal snap at the waist can detach posing a choking hazard to infants.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall involves Arizona(r) brand newborn and infant girl's and boy's denim pants. They were sold in sizes 0-3 months, 3-6 months and 6-9 months. Only those pants made in Bangladesh are affected; pants made in China are not included in the recall. The country of origin is located on a label sewn into the waistband.

Sold Exclusively at: JCPenney stores nationwide and at http://www.jcp.com/ from July 2008 through October 2008 for about $15.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled pants and return them to any JCPenney store for a full refund. Pants purchased through the firm's Web site may be returned to the Catalog Desk at any JCPenney store.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact JCPenney toll-free at (888) 333-6063 anytime or visit JCPenney's Web site at http://www.jcp.com/

How To: Feng Shui Out Your Nursery

2008-11-23T23:16:00.000-08:00

Easy breazy tips for the innovative mom to do it herself.

Finding the best room for baby :

Already the scenarios are many. Depending on where you live do you have a choice? Will baby sleep in your room? Will she be sharing a room with a sibling?

Whatever your situation, try to ecke out a space she'll be able to feel is her own. Doing this doesn't mean a lot of extra time or cost. Try seperate area rugs or a unique paint scheme. Try screens or unique bedding or wall art. However you decide to do this your baby will feel more grounded by having an area all her own.

The best place for a bedroom is the back of the house farthest from the front door. The area tends to be more peaceful since it's away from street noise, street lights and front door activities.

The best place for a nursery is in the middle of that area. A middle room helps baby feel more secure or embraced. If the nursery does happen to fall into a corner spot, you'll need to balance the family's power structure by placing a 'mom and dad' picture in the farthest corner from the front door. This pic needs to be larger then any pic of the baby.

Hope that gets you started. Check out 'The Peaceful Nursery' for more info.

-EBP

Essential Baby Planner in The Parent Connection Mom's Guide

2008-11-23T23:06:00.000-08:00

Check out the Essential Baby Planner ad in 'The Moms' Guide to San Diego' created by The Parent Connection. It's a great guide to kid-friendly stuff in San Diego. It also gives out a few pages worth of advice and several coupons.

Need a copy? Go to www.momsguidetosandiego.com

RECALL: Strangulation Death of a Child Prompts Recall of Roman Blinds; Sold Exclusively at IKEA

2008-11-20T17:49:00.000-08:00

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with IKEA, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: IRIS and ALVINE Roman Blinds

Hazard: Strangulations can occur when a child places his/her neck in an exposed inner cord on the backside of the roman blinds.

Incidents/Injuries: On April 4, 2008, a 1-year-old girl in Greenwich, Conn. became entangled in the inner cord of an IKEA Roman Blind and strangled. The child was in a portable playpen that was located underneath a fully lowered roman blind. She was found partially suspended with the inner cord of the blind wrapped twice around her neck.

Description: This recall involves all sizes of IRIS and ALVINE Roman Blinds in white. The blinds have a sewn-in label at the top edge of the blind with the IKEA logotype, article name (IRIS or ALVINE), 5-digit supplier number 19799 or 21369, four digit date stamp (YYWW) and the words "Made in India". On the bottom edge of the blind there is a sewn-in orange/white safety warning label. The blinds are made from 100% cotton.

Sold at: IKEA stores nationwide from July 2005 through June 2008 for between $7 and $30.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Roman Blinds and return them to any IKEA store to obtain a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact IKEA toll-free at (888) 966-4532 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.ikea-usa.com

Note: CPSC reminds consumers to examine all Roman Blinds and shades in their homes. If looped pull cords are present or exposed inner cords are found on the back of blinds or shades and children are in the home or occasionally visit your home, please consider replacing them with blinds or shades that do not have exposed pull cords or inner cords.

Essential Baby Planner

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Essential Baby Planner's First Blog Award!

Need Maternity Photos?

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Be a Part of the Show!

Are You Expecting Your FIRST Baby?

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Natural Kidz - Officially Launches!

good for kidzgood for the planet TM

Grand Opening Party - Dress for the Nines

The Natural Birth Project Presents Chiropractic: Birth and Beyond!

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Trixie Tracker - Savior App for the Techie Parent?

Mommy and Kai Naturals - Going Out of Business Sale

Petunia Pickle Bottom Outlet Sale!

Fleurville Celebrates Earth Day!

31 Cent Scoop Nite at Baskin Robbins!

Save the Earth – Book Swap

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Bears, Buddies & Toys . . . Oh my!

Carrie Furet makes 'Mom on the Move'!

New Mother - For Hire: Baby Planner

Free Asthma Storybook for Children

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March 29th Healing Birth Trauma Event

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Preg-tionary: Colostrum

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RECALL: Infantino Recalls Infant Toys Due to Choking Hazard

FREE Rockstar Baby I'coo Targo

This is one rockin' stroller! Win it

Cool MOMpreneur - Baby's Little Log Book

Baby Maven's Mother Circle!

Kid Ventures Grand Opening!

Preg-tionary: Back Labor

Cool MOMpreneur - San Diego Bargain Mama

Babies in Bloom Grand Opening!!

Preg-tionary: Amniotic Flud

Top Blogs for Expecting Mom!

RECALL: Old Navy Recalls Stuffed Toys

Cool MOMpreneur - Roots and Wings Consulting

FREE eBook - Coping with Infertility

Speaking of AMBER Alerts . . .

Golf fun

Boppy vs My Brest Friend

‘Musubi’ Eating Contest!

Love of Learning Month - Learning Tower Giveaway

RECALL: Disney Store Recalls Toy Tool Sets Due to Choking Hazard

Valentine's Day Spa

Playdate

Sweet Hullabaloo Concerts!

San Diego Zoo has changed their tune!

FREE Introduction Sessions - Beautiful Babies & Bellies - Prenatal Fitness

Kidz 4 Kritterz benefit for Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary

Customer Appreciation Massage Month

"SO SWEET" Valentine's Day Spa Special

We're Looking for a Few Good Mamas

FREE Starting Your Own WordPress Blog!

CPSC Grants One Year Stay of Testing and Certification Requirements for Certain Products

Free Baby Class: Baby sign, clothes swaps, crafts, songs, lectures (Old Town)

New Positive Discipline Class!

RECALL: LUNA and Cliff Bar

Create Your Free Baby Website!

Earth Mama Angel Baby - Amazing News!

FREE Hullabaloo Event!

Huge Savings Opportunities at JoggerMom

Parent Connection Family Swap Meet 2009

Style Child Furniture Sale!

Cute Baby Announcements Sale!

good for kidz
good for the planet_TM