Okay, so, I’m making my way through the sites that Jennifer mentioned in the comments here, and I started with PsychoBaby and it made me laugh. Okay, the site itself didn’t make me laugh (though some of the products were cracking me up). But I started laughing because it reminded me of a backpack that I was shown the other day. A friend had bought this adorable little pink backpack for her daughter, completely girly with roses all over it. It wasn’t until she got it home that she noticed images of skulls intermingled with all of the roses in the print of the fabric. That cracked me up. (Yes, I know, it doesn’t take much!)

Anyway, looks like there are some cute and fun (and most definitely unique!) products over at PsychoBaby. I especially like the hat featured above, though all my kids came out with more than their share of hair. I wonder if they carry one for Bald Man, though.

Thanks for the tip, Jennifer.

Post from: Play Library

I keep forgetting to share with you a new site featuring adorable handmade baby gifts! From our favorite island girl comes the Island Baby Boutique. The Hawaiian Print Bibs are adorable and, though we all know how I feel about teeth, I have to admit that the personalized Tooth Fairy Pillow is too cute. I can’t say that I’ve ever heard of a Diaper Shirt, though. Must be an island thing.

So, head on over, and pick up a few very special and personalized gifts for the new babies in your life! Adorable products, and you get to support a friend, what could be better?!?

Post from: Play Library

This little onesie with the word “indefatigable” aptly describes my kids as babies (I’m sure yours, as well ), and it would’ve been adorable having them crawl around sharing the truth of their nature on their chests!

You can check out all of the fun onesies, and t-shirts, too, at their website. They are quite whimsical.

Post from: Play Library

While I have nothing against the Baby Einstein products, I can’t honestly say that I’ve ever seen the videos, listened to the CDs, or played with the toys. I can see why Erica of GNMParents took my enthusiastic congratulations of Aigner-Clark as a promotion of her product.

In actuality, I was congratulating Aigner-Clark on harnessing her passion, sharing it with the world, and being able to make a living on it. Isn’t that the hope of us all? To be able to do what we love and find a way to support ourselves and our families on it? Isn’t that our hope for our children?

Since Aigner-Clark was mentioned in the speech, she has been blasted in several places for being recognized for doing nothing but creating videos for babies who should not be put in front of the TV. Since I’ve not seen the videos, I don’t have an opinion on them specifically. However, I have been known to throw a Wiggles video in on occasion (ha), and I’m sure neither Aigner-Clark nor I could be the first to be accused of using TV as a babysitter to TRY TO GET JUST ONE THING DONE. However, I also bottle-fed my eldest child, and still use disposable diapers, so maybe I’m not the one you’re looking to for child-rearing advice.

And, FINALLY, why has eveyone failed to mention the child safety video, The Safe Side – Stranger Safety, that Aigner-Clark produced with America’s Most Wanted guru John Walsh? Reading the text of the speech (you can find that portion here), it seems to me that this project was as instrumental in getting Aigner-Clark recognized in the presidential speech as her entrepreneurial spirit and success. I haven’t seen the safety video, yet (thanks for sending it, you know who!), but will give it a review when I do.

Anyway, I am proud to be nominated for the Hot Stuff Award, and will check out the other posts to see the company that I’m in. If you’d like to vote for me, head over to this post and vote in the comments. Thanks!

Post from: Play Library

Here’s what POTUS (I love saying that) had to say:

After her daughter was born, Julie Aigner-Clark searched for ways to share her love of music and art with her child. So she borrowed some equipment, and began filming childrens videos in her basement. The Baby Einstein Company was born and in just 5 years her business grew to more than $20 million in sales. In November 2001, Julie sold Baby Einstein to the Walt Disney Company, and with her help Baby Einstein has grown into a $200 million business. Julie represents the great enterprising spirit of America. And she is using her success to help others producing child safety videos with John Walsh of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Julie says of her new project: I believe its the most important thing that Ive ever done. I believe that children have the right to live in a world that is safe. We are pleased to welcome this talented business entrepreneur and generous social entrepreneur Julie Aigner-Clark.

Way to go, Julie!!! I’d love to get my hands on a copy of her new video series. My kids are at that age where the “safety” talks are coming more frequently. I’d love more tips on how to keep them safe!

What about you? Do you have an idea within you that’s waiting to get out into the world? What’s stopping you?

Post from: Play Library

In any case, hiking is definitely an activity that all families can enjoy. The folks at Stroller Hikes meet up every Tuesday in the San Francisco Bay Area to run or walk-run with baby joggers for 30-45 minutes. I’m more of a baby sling-type of gal so I don’t know if I would fit in, but if I were ever going to try it, I would study up at Stroller Hikes where Debbie has general information including

• Criteria for a baby-friendly hike
• Suiting up: preparing for hiking with baby
• Outdoor safety precautions: ticks and poison oak

Is there a similar group near where you live? Please share it with us here in the comments!

Post from: Play Library

Anyway, since chatting with several sleep-deprived friends this week, I’ve realized how very lucky I am to have kids who, for the most part, are awesome sleepers. How did we manage this? Great sleep genetics, I think. So, good luck with that. Other than that, I think sleep rituals have been essential for our kids.

My oldest has not had a night where there hasn’t been some type of music playing in her room. For the first few years, it was Michael Card’s Sleep Sound in Jesus that we’d received from friends. Very soothing for both of us in those early days/long nights of our Mommy/newborn relationship. Now it’s some type of Kids’ Songs. Music is a must in her evening routine. A cute pair of pajamas also goes a long way in getting her excited (or at least not dreading) bedtime.

My oldest son (almost 3) needs to have his “car blankie” which he chews on (kinda gross, but whatever works), and the light on outside his door. He’s my early riser, and so a baby gate on his door was essential. It allows him to get up and play for a little in his room before everyone else is in a coherent state. Of course, he just switched rooms with big sis and now shares a room with the baby. New ritual—scream at baby until he not only wakes up, but joins in the screaming as well. Lovely.

For baby blue eyes, it’s his duckie blankie and only the Gentle Flex type of Gerber pacifier. He’s my only pacifier baby, and shocked me today when he shook his head “no” when I went to give it to him at naptime. What? No paci? He did that about 3 times (as I’m trying not to cry because it seems just more evidence that my baby is growing up). Of course, as soon as I started to close the door, he cried and reached for it. I gave it to him, he plunged it into his little lips, grabbed his duckie blankie, rolled over and went to sleep.

Yep, we got lucky in the sleep department.

Share your sleep routines with us. There’s gotta be at least one sleep-deprived parent out there who is desperate for some ideas!

Okay, everyone, grab your mats and find a spot on the floor. It’s naptime…

Post from: Play Library

While you’re doing up the baby’s new nursery, keep the following from the Telegraph in mind:

• Paints and varnishes give off volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which have been associated with birth defects.
• Water-based paints are less hazardous than solvent-based ones, but even they might contain metal-based pigments.
• Sanding down the paintwork in an older house might expose you to a high dose of lead, too.
• Insecticides will have been used on most new carpets and curtain fabrics
• Wallpaper pastes usually contain fungicides
• Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) contains formaldehyde, which has been linked with lung disease.
• Untreated timber and new furniture have often been sprayed to prevent mould growth and insect damage.

Babies are at even greater risk because of their low body weight and while one item at a time may not be hazardous, a new nursery containing all new furniture, walls, etc. could cumulatively deliver a heavy dose of chemicals.

What to do?

• Keep the nursery well-ventilated
• Use water-based paints or natural, low-odour paints
• Bare floorboards or natural floor coverings
• Use latex backing for floor coverings to avoid dust mites and other small particles
• Regularly vacuum with a fine filter

Were you this careful when planning your child’s new room?

Post from: Play Library