What's in a baby name? Everything. Naming baby is the first big decision a parent makes for their child and there are endless elements to consider. Once you have finally settled on the right signature, you want to sing it from the rooftops and coo it over the cradle. If you can't be with baby every second of the day keep her name close to your heart with a trendy trinket necklace that spells out your favorite letters of the alphabet.
Decadent dessert decorations are sure to make a big impression, especially when mounted on a scrumptious swirl of frosting. If you opt to make your own treats for a kiddie soiree to keep party costs down and add a personal touch to the affair, wow your guests by icing your little cakes with edible cupcake and cookie cover embellishments. These designs by Etsy seller Cookie Covers, range in cost from $11 to $12 for a dozen, so you can fake fantastic fondant skills for less than a dollar a pop.
Oh those baby eyes! They cut to our core with their lamb-like innocence — even (or especially) when filled with tears. As soon as babe is born we wonder what hue his or her eyes will turn, but what does baby see through those perfect peepers? Take this quiz and find out.
Teaching your child to love — and feel loved — is one of the sweetest duties you'll ever have as a parent. If you're looking to sneak a heartfelt message to your school-going tot, take inspiration from these subtle, creative and unobtrusive ways to show your motherly love. He may still accuse you of having cooties, but you'll get the satisfaction of proving you think he's the greatest thing on earth.
Finding a practical and budget-friendly baby shower gift requires a little preplanning. Next time you need a token for a newborn, take inspiration from our cost-conscious gifts for under $20 and, if your budget is a smidgen higher, this mix of mommy must haves will keep baby clean and warm. Shop the sensible but sweet selection above, clockwise from left: Puj Baby Tub ($40), Elegant Baby's Baby Care Kit ($26), Bucket Full o' Burpies ($34) and The Woombie ($26).
Author Shana Noyes offers a weighty, but lighthearted parenting guide with her new book Get to Know Your Kid ($17). We talked to Shana, a mother of two, recently and she shared her three must ask questions to help parents learn more about their children and chronicle their growth. Shana recommends probing your children for answers when they wiggle off your questions with short rebuttals and encouraging chatter and conversation daily. This includes asking the simple "What was the best part of your day today?" question — daily. Here's why.
Need to pick up a treat? Shop the sensible but sweet selection above clockwise from left: Safety 1st Digital Pacifier Thermometer ($13), Dip Dye Socks ($10), Skip Hop Splash Bottle Brush ($8), Swaddle Designs Burp Cloth Set ($18), California Baby Shampoo and Body Wash ($18).
I generally stick to a rigid exercise routine and focus on eating fresh, healthy foods in moderation, but when the calendar turns to my birthday week, or I'm attending a celebration like a wedding, I like to let loose and enjoy the more decadent foods I love without reservations. Peanut butter cups. Artisan mac and cheese. Cake. Sign me up. I'll happily work it off later so I can enjoy the moment.
Birthday or not, so-called cheat days give you something to look forward to and can prevent you from feeling deprived. While the notion isn't for everyone (especially if you're actively trying to shed pounds), celebs like Jessica Biel and Sandra Bullock practice this same technique, and trainers like Harley Pasternak even encourage the method.
Do you sneak in a few extra servings of your favorite things on special days, or do you shun sweets and fancy eats in the name of healthy habits regardless of the celebration?
Source: Flickr User saechang
Babies might be the best thing in life to celebrate! When that celebration comes in the form of a shower, it's even better. Planning a party that honors the soon-to-be mama while reflecting her personality and comfort level can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. Any celebration is celebration enough. If the mom of the day isn't a traditional baby shower kind of gal, consider adding modern elements to her fete by stealing inspiration from these mod shower elements.
Desperately seeking a new recipe to take to kiddie soirees this season? When are you not?! Celebrate the colors and sweetness of Spring with these tried and truly tasty treats created by the LilSugar team, LilSugar Community and chef Annabel Karmel.
Twenty-first century moms are faced with a new Hamletian dilemma: to blog or not to blog? As soon as that pregnancy stick shows a positive mark, parents start planning, taking notes, and trying to capture memories of the exciting milestones. Many have traded in the baby books of yesteryear for websites and blogs dedicated to their pregnancy, childbirth, and baby or family photos. If you haven't already created a blog to share your lil one with the world, check out my suggestions for starting a family site.
Looking for a fun project to do with your family this weekend? Get a head start making Easter baskets by making homemade treats. These DIY sweets are the perfect way to get creative and celebrate the season together. Surprise the kids with these twists on traditional items or invite them to join in on the making and decorating.
Watching your child develop into his or her own as a thinking person is one of the greatest rewards of being a parent, and if you ask the right questions you'll get a window into your little one's ever-changing world. Author Shana Noyes offers a parent's cheat sheet to Get to Know Your Kid ($17). The book, which was just released, is half guidebook and half journal with blank pages for you to archive your child's answers. We talked to Shana, a mother of two, and she shared her three must ask questions.
LilSugar: Your book offers oodles of questions you should ask your child to get to know them and help make a keepsake record of their development. What would you say are the three most important — and rewarding — questions to ask your kids?
Shana Noyes: I worked with two child psychologists on Get to Know Your Kid, and every question in the book is designed to encourage kids to open up in some way. The questions that I consider to be the most rewarding are some of the more serious questions in the book, ones that ask kids to think about profound topics and to look deeper into themselves than they might normally look.
If you thought the portable ultrasound device was exciting, take note: An industrial designer has created the concept for a belly band-like attachment that would allow parents to see their child's growth and development throughout pregnancy. Think around-the-clock window into your body. Aptly named PreVue, the device apparently "skin images the baby and then places this image onto a stretchable electronic textile that can grow as the mother does. At every stage of the baby's growth, the parents can see its reaction to stimuli, see it kick, spin, smile and evolve in front of their eyes."
It's no surprise the concept took an Australian Design Award, but the ability to constantly watch your baby's growth during development is mind-boggling for about a billion reasons. Should you have access to the Prevue would you strap it on, or would you prefer to keep up the mystery of pregnancy?
Looking to dress up your nursery or child's walls with new prints? Graduate from personalized name prints to full phrases. You can envelope your little love with extra cheer and happiness by decorating with posters that celebrate all things amorous — and your family's favorite lyrics. Get decor inspiration by these sweet, singsongy posters.
Raising children in any city or culture will cost you. In fact, the price of caring for children adds up quick: The US Department of Agriculture estimates that the average middle-income family will spend almost $300,000 to raise a child from birth to age 18. While the trend to splurge on swanky goods for your child can be tempting when you have extra funds, there is plenty of great gear you can get on the cheap at superstores like Ikea. Here are a handful of perfectly acceptable (in fact, cute!) must haves you should shop for with a deal in mind if you have an infant or toddler.
Every name carries a stigma, stereotype, and individual spirit, which is a heavy weight when you consider baby naming is one of the first major decisions to make when an infant enters the world.
Each decade is inspired by different cultural events, literature, and characters. What boy names were hot in the age of disco, The Brady Bunch and Donny & Marie? Take this quiz and find out.
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An unadorned crib allows the option to accessorize with color and change up the decor of baby's room without breaking your future piggy bank. If you decide to skip a crib painted with bright colors, invest in a plain piece that pairs well with plenty of looks — you might go with nautical one season and black and white the next. Check out a couple of our favorite options for any budget.
Simple: The Bloom Alma Crib ($400) has a hint of steel detailing, but is largely a plain crib canvas you can dress up with any look you like.
Swank: The white Sparrow Crib ($730) features the same simple and sleek aesthetic, but a more retro-mod design for a slightly heftier price tag.
A baby shower is a cornerstone tradition for every soon-to-be-mama: Not only does it celebrate her impending adventure, but it sets her up with advice and tools for finding her way through the early days of motherhood. Planning a party that properly honors mama while reflecting her personality and comfort level can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. Any celebration is celebration enough. If you aim to throw an impressive and traditional fete steal inspiration from these standard shower elements.
Hey there little sailor! Nautical clothing pieces have won over generations of shopping mamas for their classic, French style and this season is no exception. We've seen a whole fleet of adorable sailor-inspired pieces for kids, but you can sneak the trend into your little one's nursery for a daily dose. Take inspiration from this full sail nautical nursery and add a hint of sea life to your little one's living space with these salty accessories.
