Archives for: June 2007

It’s not easy being a first time mom. Despite months of research and preparation, when baby finally arrives, sometimes all of that new found knowledge goes right out the window. Suddenly, you’re the sole keeper of this tiny human being, responsible for all aspects of his existence. Don’t worry if you feel vulnerable and overwhelmed; you’re not alone. Many a new mom has tread before you, experiencing what you soon will be. And from their experience were garnered the following bits of advice, to help make your transition from expectant mom to mom a smooth one.

• Though it may not feel that way when you’re in the midst of it, the newborn stage flies by. Be sure to cherish those quiet, middle-of-the night moments with just you and baby.

• Sleep whenever you can. You’ve probably heard this a thousand times, but nothing could be truer. A well-rested mom can better enjoy her baby.

• Don’t forget to take care of you. Take some time to recharge. Meet a friend for a cup of coffee. Go for a walk or soak in a warm bath.

• Let your husband help. Even though you know that you can do things better and more efficiently, allow him to do it his way. As long as the end result is the same, who cares how it gets done.

• Help your baby develop good sleep habits. When you know he is tired, put him down so he learns to fall asleep on his own without you having to hold or rock him.

• Be sure to savor the final weeks of your pregnancy. Spend quiet time with your husband and don’t get caught up worrying about all the “things” you think your baby needs. All your newborn will really “need” is you.

• Get together with other new parents. If you’re feeling particularly overwhelmed, learning that you’re not alone can be relieving.

Motherhood for the first time can be exhilarating and life-altering. Enjoy it while you can because babies grow up fast.

Tags: new moms, expectant mom, new baby, preparing for baby, mom-to-be

If you’ve recently become a mom, life can be pretty exciting (and exhausting.) Your new baby seems to be changing right before your eyes! Many of these changes mark a significant first in baby’s first year journey, milestones you’ll want to capture for posterity to look back on and delight in.

Want a fun way to make time stand still? Create a baby scrapbook! The great thing about scrapbooks is that you can make as many as you like. Categorize by theme – baby’s first year, baby’s Halloween, baby’s Christmas, etc. Any event, moment or experience that you want to remember – save it in a scrapbook.

Although you probably have a million ideas already, here are some suggestions on what you might want to include in your scrapbook, along with ways to design and decorate it.

Just the facts. What was your baby’s weight and length at birth? Eye color? Hair color? Time of birth? How long was your labor? Name of the doctor who delivered your baby. When did your baby first smile, roll over, sit up or crawl? Include any and all information that is special or relevant to you.

Keep a mini-diary. Does your baby’s name have a special meaning? Did you choose it for any particular reason? Who visited you at the hospital? Did you receive any special gifts from visitors? Record your baby’s sleeping, eating, and crying patterns. How was your baby around unfamiliar people? What made your baby laugh? When did you first hire a babysitter? Once again, write about anything you think is memorable.

Photo opportunities. Pictorially document your baby’s growth. Take baby’s picture every month next to the same large stuffed animal. Take pictures of everything! The nursery, your home, baby sleeping, eating, bathing; with grandparents, other siblings or relatives and favorite toys. (You’ll be surprised at how quickly you become a good photographer!)

There are no rules for decorating and designing your baby’s scrapbook, other than to feel free to use your imagination. Check out your local crafts supply store for decorative stickers and embellishments or any specialty stores devoted to scrapbooking. Also, a couple of good Web sites you might want to visit are My Baby Scrapbook and Scrapbook.com.

Likewise, for the layout of your scrapbook, you might want to click on over to Bisous or My Craft Book for some cute design ideas.

A baby scrapbook is a wonderful keepsake for cherished memories. Let it remind you of all those special moments during your baby’s first years.

Tags: baby scrapbook, baby's first year, baby memories, baby pictures

Sending thank you cards to guests or anyone who gave you a wedding gift is good wedding etiquette. Most likely, the gift giver put a lot of time and effort into choosing your gift and it is polite and appropriate to acknowledge that with a hand-written card.

So, you might be thinking, especially in our ultra high-tech world, “well, wouldn’t an email be good enough?” To answer simply – no. Email and all the other electronic means of communication we use now just don’t convey the personal touch that a hand-written note does. Yes, writing thank you notes can be time consuming and, yes, some notes may leave you at a complete loss as to what to say, but no matter; the fact that you took the time to write and say “thank you” speaks volumes to the recipients.

Your thank you card doesn’t have to be paragraphs of eloquent prose. The most important thing is to be sincere. Short, simple notes are usually sufficient, that is, unless you’re writing to a close family member or friend and you’re using the opportunity to “catch up.”

Generally, you’ll want to thank the person for the specific gift, briefly mention why you like it or how you intend to use it, and then end the note. Doesn’t that sound easy? Great, if not, here are a few examples that may help get you past the initial writer’s block.

Example 1 – note to relative or close friend

Dear Auntie Kay,

Thank you so much for your gift! How thoughtful of you to give Bill and me such a lovely family treasure. Grandma’s hand-crocheted bedspread will be our most prized possession. We both thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Example 2 – note to someone you don’t know very well

Dear Mrs. Brown:

Mother just gave me the beautiful crystal cake pedestal you left and I couldn't wait to tell you how lovely it is. Bill and I will think of you each time we use it. Thank you so very much.

Example 3 – note for a gift that you really didn’t care for

(This sounds harsh, but it happens more than you would think. Remember to focus on the positive, and, especially in this scenario, that it’s the thought that counts!)

Dear Aunt Jean,

Thank you for your gift. The wrapping paper was so beautiful, I almost didn’t want to unwrap it. The placemats are so unique; I think I’ll save them for special occasions.

If you let your gratitude and sincerity shine through, you’ll be sure to come up with just the right words to say “thank you!” To see more samples of thank you card wording, visit LCI's Thank You Card Verses.

Tags: thank you cards, thank you wording

Chiyogami paper or yuzen is a vibrant, lively, Japanese paper originally used to accessorize home interiors. The paper’s elaborate designs mimic the bright kimono fashions that were once worn by wealthy women in the larger cities of Japan.

Today, chiyogami is enjoying a surge in popularity and you’ll often find it accenting invitations or adding a splash of color to envelope linings. If you’ve visited LCI Paper’s Web site, you’ve probably seen the rich selections of chiyogami that they have to offer.

But chiyogami is more than just a pretty face for invitations. There are many other decorative uses for this bright and sturdy paper. With its intricate patterns and vivid hues, chiyogami serves as a striking covering for books, boxes, frames, light switchplates, pots, shelves, and tables. It’s so pretty; you can use it as an eye-catching wall hanging, with or without a frame, or to dress up a lampshade.

Because chiyogami is so strong and flexible you’ll find that there are limitless ways to decorate with it. It adheres easily to most surfaces with double stick tape or spray glue. You’d want to use an Exacto knife for cutting.

At www.imagiart.com</a> you can find creative ideas on ways to use chiyogami paper. Here’s an example of a candle votive decorated with chiyogami. The rim of the candle was painted with gold acrylic paint. Spray glue was applied to the chiyogami and then the paper was adhered to the votive. A rectangle of gold metallic paper was stamped with the Happiness symbol and attached to the chiyogami.

Tags: chiyogami, yuzen, decorative papers, paper crafts, candles, candle-making, gift decorating

If you are planning a baby shower, keep in mind that these days it doesn’t have to be a female-only event. Today, more hosts are inviting both men and women to celebrate the coming arrival of a new baby. This option is particularly popular when the parents-to-be are expecting a second, third or even fourth baby, but it is also a perfectly appropriate choice even for first-time parents. The key to planning a successful couples’ baby shower is to keep the food, decorations and activities simple and not too cute. If men will be attending, think about skipping the little finger sandwiches and serving heartier fare. For instance, if you are throwing a summer shower, consider hosting a barbeque with hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken. Or plan a picnic with substantial sandwiches, chips and salads. If you prefer to keep preparation to a minimum, you can also opt for ordering pizza, which most guests will enjoy.

A friend of mine who lives in Florida recently planned a couples’ baby shower for her sister and brother-in-law, who were expecting their second child. The hostess kept the guest list small, just inviting a handful of couples to attend. The weather was beautiful, so she suggested that the guests bring their bathing suits and she held the party outside by her pool. She served platters of cold cuts and bulky rolls, so guests could make sandwiches, and she put out pitchers of lemonade and margaritas and a cooler of soda, water and beer. Instead of typical baby shower games, she put up her volleyball net, and took out a Frisbee and a croquet set. Toward the end of the party, the expectant mother sat by the pool and opened her gifts while people watched and ate cake. This was a fun and relaxing day for everyone, and the expectant parents enjoyed the chance to celebrate this exciting time with their close friends. So if you are planning a baby shower, you might consider hosting something similar with both sexes in attendance. Don’t worry about following tradition. Just think about what the expectant parents and the guests would enjoy and plan accordingly. Your event is sure to be a success.

Tags: baby shower, baby shower ideas