There are 365 days in a year. The odds are definitely against having a baby born on the same day as yourself (the parent), a sibling or other family member / relative. Yet, I find myself surrounded by people who share the same birthday as another member of their family. I have friends who share birthdays with one of their children. I even know siblings who share the same birthday and I'm not referring to twins. ; )
                            
On a personal level, my grand daugther was due to be born on March 13th of 2006. Her actual birth was on March 8th. Had she been born on March 13th, she would have shared the same birthday as her cousin and her aunt. How odd is it that one family could have three family members sharing the same birthday? One would believe that with 365 days, the odds of landing on that one particular same day wouldn't be likely...yet look at the scenerio I just said. It amazes me!

                                                        
  
I thought it would have been pretty cool had they all shared the same birthday. My daughter, on the other hand, was not too pleased about it. She felt that having to share a birthday with another family member, especially as a child, took a little away from them. She believes that the celebration should be all about you on your birthday and that a child shouldn't have to share a cake or have a joint party because they will somehow be slighted. Needless to say, she was overcome with relief when my grand daughter was born on the 8th instead!

Now, granted, millions of people share the same birthday across the world. However, those millions of people don't belong in the same immediate family.  I wondered why my daughter very much did not want her child to share the same birthday as another family member....what made her think it would be so "slighting" in the first place? Perhaps it's because she was born on New Years Eve herself and has always disliked that she shared her birthday with a holiday. To me, a New Years Eve birthday is awesome! I mean, come on, there is ALWAYS somewhere to go or something to do.  My daughter, however, has always felt that it took away from her celebration, if you will. I guess that plays a role in why she didn't want her daughter to have to share a birthday with anyone close to her.

All of this pondering made me question how many people feel the same as she does. If you had the choice, would you want your child to share the same birthday as you or another family member? If you didn't have a choice in the matter, would you be upset in some way? Would you prefer having the birthdays a few days apart rather than on the same day?

I'd love to hear from you!

        

Kipiis (“Kip-eez”) Bib Clips let you make anything a bib— napkin, cloth diaper, kitchen towel. Just clip the two rounded fasteners onto whatever’s handy, adjust the back—and voilà! Your child is covered. Bib Clips by Kipiis are designed with your flexible lifestyle in mind. They make a smart addition to your diaper bag, glove box, kitchen drawer, or pocket.

That's right - No more dirty bibs in your bag! Toss these bib clips in your diaper bag and never tote another sticky bib! These versatile, patent-pending and portible clips turn almost anything into an instant bib. At a restaurant? No problem! Kipiis Bib Clips can turn restaurant napkins into an instant bib! At a friends house with out bib? Paper towels or kitchen towels can now become bibs with these clips! Even cloth diapers work!

The adjustable back allows these clips to be worn by people of all ages. They can be shortened to accmodate a small child  (recommended for ages 6 months and up) or lengthened for an average size adult! They are also top-rack dishwasher safe.

Orange/Coral     Magenta/Lime      Lime/Blue      Tangerine/Blue

All Kipiis Bib Clips are individually packaged for gift-giving. They are perfect for older children as well. For those days when your toddler wants to help out in the kitchen or when they wish to disply their creative side through artwork, these bib clips help preserve their clothing from stains!

 

        

** NOTE ** The information in this article derived from CDC data. It takes years to compile and analyze so although the information is not from our current year, it is the most currently released information.

Preliminary Data for 2007

"Data in this report are based on 98.7 percent of births for 2007. The records are weighted to independent control counts of all births received in state vital statistics offices in 2007. Comparisons are made with 2006 data."

The Results

The preliminary estimate of births in 2007 rose 1 percent to 4,317,119, the highest number of births ever registered for the United States. 

The general fertility rate increased by 1 percent in 2007, to 69.5 births per 1,000 women aged 15–44 years, the highest level since 1990. Increases occurred within all race and Hispanic origin groups and for nearly all age groups.

The birth rate for U.S. teenagers 15–19 years rose again in 2007 by about 1 percent, to 42.5 births per 1,000. The birth rate for teenagers 15–17 and 18–19 years each increased by 1 percent in 2007, to 22.2 and 73.9 per 1,000, respectively. The rate for the youngest group, 10–14 years, was unchanged.

Birth rates also increased for women in their twenties, thirties, and early forties between 2006 and 2007.

The 2007 total fertility rate increased to 2,122.5 births per 1,000 women.

All measures of childbearing by unmarried women rose to historic levels in 2007, with the number of births, birth rate, and proportion of births to unmarried women increasing 3 to 5 percent.

The cesarean delivery rate rose 2 percent in 2007, to 31.8 percent, marking the 11th consecutive year of increase and another record high for the United States.

The rate of preterm births (infants delivered at less than 37 weeks of gestation) decreased 1 percent in 2007, to 12.7 percent, with the decline predominately among infants born late preterm (at 34–36 weeks).

The rate of low birthweight (less than 2,500 grams) also declined slightly in 2007, to 8.2 percent.

For additional information and detailed tables, visit http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr57/nvsr57_12.pdf

        

When you're pregnant, consuming prenatal vitamins in crucial. Unfortunately, some women experience severe morning sickness and/or have a difficult time swallowing large, bulky pills. What does a woman do when faced in these situations? You simply can't avoid taking prenantal vitamins as they are essential for your body and your developing baby.

Be Nice Inc. has a wonderful alternative. Available in two delicious flavors, the easy on-the-go doctor approved drink packets from Be Nice are fortified with folic acid, B-complex vitamins and minerals, and life's DHA. Best of all, there are no artificial sweeteners...everything is natural!

You can now easily get your essential prenatal vitamins and minerals by simply mixing the drink packet with 16 oz of water. Each packet is proportioned for maximal nutrient absorption and since you are able to consume 1 to 4 per day, you will remain hydrated throughout the day which is critical for avoiding preterm labor.  



So go ahead and follow the Be Nice Inc. motto ... Be Nice to your baby, Be Nice to your body!

For additional information, visit http://www.beniceinc.com

        

When you are trying to conceive, the overwhelmingly stressful part is waiting to find out if you were successful. FIRST RESPONSE® Early Result Pregnancy Test with Enhanced Technology can now tell you if you are pregnant SIX days before your missed period. This beats out any other pregnancy test currently on the market, with five days prior being the soonest. This new test uses patent pending technology to detect the pregnancy hormone (hcG) at lower levels than ever before, thus informing you six days before your missed period. Since the first few weeks of pregnancy are the must crucial, knowing you are indeed pregnant even sooner allows you to get a jumpstart on prenatal care for yourself and your developing baby.



The First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test is now available at major drugstores, grocery stores, and other retailers nationwide. For additional information, visit www.firstresponse.com.  

 

        

As with anything, there are highs and lows to being pregnant. I could go on and on about all of the highs associated with pregnancy. The excitement of having a child, the anticipation of entering parenthood, the miracle of childbirth...must I continue? It is evident that many great things come along with pregnancy. Unfortunately, the lows often exist as well. The most common "downside" to pregnancy is morning sickness. Morning sickness, which can actually occur at any time of the day, can really dampen your excitement about being pregnant.

Morning sickness is the nauseated feeling you encounter during pregnancy. It's not always accompanied with vomiting, but it most definitely can. The feeling of nausea is often a result of increased hormones in your body.  Most cases of morning sickness occur between the 4th and 6th week of pregnancy and last until the 14th to 16th week. For some women, it doesn't end there and lasts throughout the duration of their pregnancy.

More than half of all pregnant women experience morning sickness. Actually, it is estimated that approximately 50 to 90 percent of moms-to-be will endure pregnancy morning sickness. With numbers like that, you are definitely not alone in this journey you are traveling. During this time of discomfort, may you find comfort in knowing that many health care providers believe morning sickness is a good sign because it means the placenta is developing well. Studies also suggest that less miscarriages occur in pregnancies in which morning sickness occurs.

Below is a list of helpful tips on ways to alleviate your symptoms and get you back to feeling that pregnancy excitement.

• Avoid the traditional 3 meals per day and eat smaller meals more often. Eating four to six small meals per day will ensure that your stomach is never empty. An empty stomach and low blood sugar, resulting from long stretches between meals, can trigger nausea. Overeating at meals can also cause nausea.

• Avoid drinking fluids with your meals. Instead, drink fluids a half hour prior to or after the meal.

• Drink small amounts of fluids frequently throughout the day to avoid dehydration. This is especially important if you are losing them through vomiting. If they are easier to get down than solids when your stomach is upset, use them to get your nutrients.

• Eat crackers or dry toast 20 minutes before getting up in the morning, while slightly propped up in bed. Bland foods such as crackers or pretzels may help at any time of day when you feel nauseated.

• Avoid the sight, smell, and taste of foods that increase nausea.

• Cooking in the microwave usually produces less odors and thus less of a chance of getting queasy from smells.

• Open windows or turn on exhaust fans when cooking and after meals. If you have someone who wouldn't mind cooking for you every now and again when nausea is at its peek, take advantage of the offer.

• Eat before nausea strikes. Food will be easier to get down and may prevent an attack.

• Cold food may have less nausea inducing smells associated with them.

• Eat a diet (or snacks) high in protein and complex carbohydrates, both of which fight nausea. Low fat meats and seafood, nuts, eggs and beans are high protein.

• Avoid warm places as heat can increase the feeling of nausea.

• Do not skip meals, if you can help it.

• Don't lie die or nap after eating.

• Avoid spicy or greasy foods. Eating and smelling them often increase your nausea and may cause heartburn.

• Get extra sleep and relaxation. Both emotional and physical fatigue can exacerbate morning sickness. Take naps during the day (but not right after eating) and be sure to get enough sleep at night. 

• Greet the morning in slow motion – rushing tends to aggravate nausea. Get out of bed slowly.

• Ginger in capsules form 250 mg. three times daily can be beneficial. Ginger has long been associated with alleviating nausea.

• Drink clear beverages such as ginger ale or sprite.

• Avoid milk products when experiencing nausea.

• Fruit juices and popsicles are helpful in combating the nauseated feeling. Non caffeinated herbal teas like peppermint and ginger can help as well.

• If vomiting, drink Gatorade or Powerade or any other sport drink that is known for replacing electrolytes.

• Eating something salty before a meal can help you "make it through" a meal. Salty potato chips work wonders to settle stomachs.

• Consider changing your toothpaste. Often the type of toothpaste you were once comfortable with and preferred is playing a role in the queasiness you've been experiencing.

• Try taking your prenatal vitamins later in the day or even just before bedtime. Remember, it is important to take your prenatal vitamins as they compensate for nutrients you may be missing from lack of eating or from vomiting.

• Vitamin B6 - 50 mg. daily. Vitamin B6 has been shown to help with pregnancy induced nausea.

• Smelling lemons and/or ginger often does the trick. If you're not at home and able to access lemons or ginger quickly, try carrying around a handkerchief with a few drops of lemon oil in it. Breathing in lemons and/or ginger is known to take the place of the smell that is becoming bothersome and upsetting your stomach.

• Minimize stress. Morning sickness is more common among women who are under a great deal of stress, either at work or home.

Even though morning sickness associated with pregnancy is common, if you are experiencing excessive vomiting you should consult your doctor immediately and address your concerns with them.

        

There are many printing companies out there who specialize in invitations and announcements, but in our search for discovering the best of the best we came across Forever Friends. In addition to incredible quality, you will have the pleasure of dealing one-on-one with Beth Fruchtman, a woman who continuously inspires me.

Congratulations....you're pregnant! Your first reaction  is to probably scream from the rooftops and tell everyone your wonderful and exciting news. Instead, why not jump aboard one of the latest most popular trends...send "We're Expecting" announcements. This is a delightful way of sharing your miraculous news with your loved ones. Remember...time is ticking!!

So, now that the "We're Expecting" announcement has been made, the next shout out to your family and friends would naturally be when it's time for the baby shower. Forever Friends offers a large array of baby shower invitations. From traditional to personalized, Beth can see to it that your inviations are all that you've dreamed of and more! Our personal favorite is the "Rippled Diamond" shower invitation. The lovely rippling diamond pattern flows from your invitation wording into a picture of the mom-to-be.





One of the most extraordinary things I love about Forever Friends is the fact that they care about our environmentally-conscious mom-to-be's as well. Beth offers one of the most adorable baby announcements that I've ever seen. "Go Green Baby" is designed especially for our eco-friendly mom's who want to teach their children about the beauty of our planet from day one. This tree holds a photo of your little one. The paper that this announcement is printed on  is Green Seal Certified, made with 100% post-consumer fibers and created without the use of chlorine compounds. The margaraite colored envelopes are made with 30% post-consumer fibers. Show your little one the importance of recycling right away!





The Diaper Baker encourages you to stop by and visit Forever Friends for your stationery needs. We are confident that you'll enjoy your experience so much that you'll return for more!

        

The length of time it takes for a child to be completely potty-trained varies. One thing that can be very frustrating and even a bit disheartening is when after all of the time spent with your child on toilet training, they begin showing signs of regression. As a parent, you must first come to the realization this is very common. According to experts, there are many reasons in which this occurs. If there has been a "stressful" occurance in the child's life such as a new sibling, a new school, a divorce, or any other change in their lives, regression can definitely begin. There is also natural regression that occurs any time a child masters a skill or task.

The frustration kicks in for many parents when they see their child showing signs of consistency at home but not out in public, or vice versa. This can result for being preoccupied and simply ignoring the body's message. So, how does a parent help their child overcome these obsticles? Some important tips to remember:

• Stay consistent! Consistency is the key!!
• Praise your child when they remain dry. Positive enforcement carries a lot of weight with young ones.
• Empower them. Let them know that you believe in them and show them that you know they can accompish this.
• Give regular reminders. Children tend to get caught up in whatever it is that they are doing and simply forget. A child tends to hold it in as long as possible with fear that they will miss out on something if they leave to go the bathroom. Instead of asking if they need to go, consider telling them. Be direct and announce that it's time to go. If you ask you are leaving yourself open for your child to say no, just to have them wet themselves moments later. This is especially essential if you know that it's been a while since their last bathroom visit.
• If you child does wet themselves, don't yell or scream at them. Positive enforcement is much better than any negative attention.
• Encourage your child to help with the cleaning process. Have them remove their wet clothes and put on a clean pair.
• Do not discipline your child. If you do, they could completely shy away from wanting to learn with fear that they will be in trouble for accidents. Believe it or not, your child does not like to upset you and wants you to remain proud of them. If you show signs of being upset or disappointed because you KNOW they can do it rather than showing signs of anger, that will make a child want to try harder.
• Once again, stay consistent! This can not be stressed enough. It is by far the most important factor. 

No matter how long of a process, do not give up. The worst thing you can do is tell yourself that this is just useless and revert back to diapers. Potty training should not be a battle. It should be less difficult on the parent than the child. If you're finding that it's more difficult on you than your child then it's time to start  fresh by utulizing all of the tips above. Be direct and assertive. Just because you are being direct does not mean that you are being harsh. Directives can be said in loving ways. A good example is "Sweetie, you are doing such a great job with your puzzle. It's time to take a potty break and then you can show me how how to finish this puzzle."

Although the act of toilet training is that of the child, the process is a parent/child team effort. By instilling consistency and changing your approach on accidents, together you and your child will achieve this milestone!

 

        

Many first time expectant parents have a common misconception. They concentrate on all of things that need to be done prior to the baby's arrival such as decorating the nursery, pre-washing baby clothes, and selecting the perfect car seat. Most even do plan accordingly for the hospital stay, all of which is a necessity. But how often do they concentrate on things that could / should be done prior to the big event that help the mother for her first days at home with the baby? Unfortunately, these things often get overlooked. Here are a few suggestions and recommendations of things that you could be done prior to the grand debut to help mom have an even more enjoyable postpartum experience:

Stock Up on Dinners
Immediately following birth, babies tend to eat every 2-3 hours. While your day consists of continuously feeding the baby, how likely is it that you'll have time to put dinner on the dining room table without much effort? Although it does require a bit more time and preparation, stocking up on dinners will become a lifesaver in the long run. During the last few weeks before delivering, cook two meals instead of one. Double your portions so that you can place one in the freezer for after the baby arrives. As new parents you are almost guaranteed to have a supply of baby food stocked up on, so why not take advantage of the opportunity to do so for yourselves?

Home Improvements
All of the time and energy required for home improvements is likely to be consumed once the baby is home. Instead of just painting the baby's nursery, why not paint the rest of the house before the big day? Hey, the paint and brush are out anyways, right? Of course, be sure to check with your doctor for safety concerns.

The most common reason for postpartum depression is being stuck in the house staring at the same four walls. Well, at least this way you can stare at the beauty of what you've done rather than staring and thinking of all you should have done and no longer have time for.

Shop From Your Home
How many of us can say that our fridge is stocked the day we come home with the baby? After three days of staying in the hospital, chances are our refridgerator needs some replenishing. Take advantage of delivery services offered by grocery stores. It's much easier to take a few minutes while the baby naps to place an online order and have it delivered directly to your front door than it is for you to pack up baby and the entire diaper bag and spend an hour in the store, based around feedings of course. 

Don't Forget The Little Luxuries
After a few restless nights with little to no sleep, you'll definitely want some time for relaxation. That bubble bath you're in dire need of will be much more fulfilling with some actual bubbles and bath salts on hand. Let's not forget about the scented candles either! Of course, these delicacies are probably the last things from your mind when preparing for the baby. This is all the more reason why you should stock up and have them on hand. A bubble bath with scented candles can do wonders!!

By taking the time to make these simple preparations, mom can focus on recuperating and spending quality time bonding with her little bundle of joy!

        

The journey of pregnancy is undoubtingly a miraculous one. We have compiled a list of inspirational pregnancy quotes. Although you may not be able to relate to all just yet, we hope that after giving birth you will be able to look back and smile upon these. Congratulations on, by far, the most incredible experience ever!


QUOTES