We know his 50th birthday has come and gone  but the love for Dr. Seuss continues on!  We also know that Easter is still a couple of months away but it’s not too early to start gathering ideas and if you have little ones in the house and would like to try something different this year, we have some ideas for a fun Dr. Seuss theme Easter.

 Theodor Seuss Geisel is better known to the world as the beloved Dr. Seuss. Dr. Seuss has captivated over four generations of children and parents alike, all in the while helping millions of children learn to read. Dr. Seuss wrote and illustrated 44 books, which have been translated into 20 different languages making him the best –selling children’s author of all times. Today, his books and characters remain to be very influential in young children’s lives.

Easter Time is a great time to introduce your baby to Dr. Seuss books.  They make a fun and colorful addition to any Easter Basket and make a great alternative to candy, of course, you could also include some healthy snacks as well!  If you feel like getting  really creative, you can bake some Dr. Seuss theme cookies to include (see recipe below).

Dr. Seuss was first invited to our home when my son was about 2 years of age at Easter time. I wanted to put together an Easter Basket but did not want to fill it with a bunch of candy so I decided to put together a basket themed around Dr. Seuss.  I filled the basket with about 8 Dr. Seuss books instead of candy.  Another year, I purchased a Cat In The Hat plush and used him as the center piece for the basket along with a few more Dr. Seuss books but this time I did include some Easter treats since he was a bit older!  Every since then, his Easter baskets have been filled with books and he has always loved receiving them, of course, now that he’s age nine he’s reading very well and more into chapter books but he will still return once in awhile to some of old time favorite Dr. Seuss books before bedtime and I certainly give a lot of credit to Dr. Seuss for my son’s love of reading today. Oh and for his adorable little plush Cat in the Hat doll, he still sits up on a shelf in the play room!

You can fill the basket with all time Dr. Seuss classics like “Green Eggs and Ham”, “Cat In The Hat”, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go”, “Hop On Pop”, “My Many Colored Days”, “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish Blue Fish” and many more!

Egg Decorating With The Kids

Let them add little Dr. Seuss stickers to their colored eggs, make sure they are completely dry before trying to stick them though.

Dr. Seuss Hat Sugar Cookies

1/2 cup margarine, chilled
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Vanilla or Cookie Icing (recipes follow)

Preheat oven to 350° F. Cream margarine and 1 cup sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix flour, baking powder and salt in separate bowl and set aside. Gradually add dry ingredients to sugar mixture, stirring until dough forms. Wrap in wax paper. Chill or freeze until firm.

Roll small portions of dough on lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut using hat-shaped cookie cutters, or similar. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on rack. Decorate with wide stripes white and red-colored vanilla or cookies icing.

Makes 5 dozen cookies.

For dairy free version: Use dairy-free margarine.

For wheat-free version: Substitute 1 3/4 cups sweet rice flour and 1/2 cup tapioca flour for all-purpose flour.

For egg-free version: Substitute 3 teaspoons powdered egg re-placer mixed with 1/4 cup water for eggs.

Vanilla Icing

4 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 cup margarine, softened
1/4 cup milk
3 teaspoons vanilla
Red food coloring

Instructions: Cream sugar and margarine. Add milk and vanilla; beat until smooth. Divide in half; use red dye to color one half to desired shade.

For dairy free version: Use dairy-free margarine and dairy-free milk.

No substitutions needed for wheat and eggs.

Cookie Icing

2 cups confectioners sugar
1/4 cup water
Red food coloring (or try using soft pastels to make them look more Eastery)

Instructions: Mix confectioners’ sugar with water until smooth. Divide in half; use red dye to color one half to desired shade.

After the little ones have found all their Easter eggs and it’s time for dinner, why not continue on with the Dr. Seuss theme and surprise them with a Dr. Seuss Easter Cake. 

 Dr. Seuss Easter Theme Cake Ideas

Below are a few ideas and with a few adjustments or additions, you could have a great Dr. Seuss Theme Easter Cake for desert!  Any of these cakes below can be done to look more springy or Eastery by simply changing the colors of the frosting or adding flowers or Easter candy to them.  They would look so cute with colorful little Easter Peeps placed on top and around the layers.  In place of the stars, add flowers, add “Happy Easter” to it and you’ve got an adorable Dr. Seuss theme Easter cake!

If you have any other good ideas to add to this, please leave a coment.  My little grandson will be almost age 3 by Easter so I’m considering doing the Dr. Seuss thing for him as well and I would love more suggestions…just please do not suggest that we do “green eggs and ham” as our dinner!  LOL!

Gwen Staffani’s Baby Zuma Nesta Rock Rossdale, a mere 18 months old,  rocks in his leather jacket!  Following the footsteps of his rockin’ momma, little Zuma looks adorable sporting his little black rockin’ leather jacket.

Baby and Mom were spotted Thursday at her L.A.M.B. fashion presentation for New York’s Fashion Week.  Guess baby Zuma is following his older brother Kingston, 3, who has famously rocked a Mohawk, shredded jeans and other punk-inspired looks.

Maybe mom should ditch the grown up articles and purchase a “Rockin’ Horse” and just let them be kids while they are kids.  Perhaps a cowboy hat and boot’s would be cute, there’s plenty of time for looking “cool” later on in life, they’re only babies once, Gwen!

*Picture courtesy of US Magazine

February 13, 2010 – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall of infant’s wind chime toys today because the toy poses puncture and laceration hazards to the baby. Consumers are warned to stop using the recalled products immediately.

Tiny Love Inc., of New York, NY and the Maya Group Inc., of Huntington Beach, CA are voluntarily recalling these defective products in the United States and Canada after receiving five reports of babies pulling apart the wind chimes and exposing the sharp metal rods, including a report of a minor injury to a 24-month-old baby who punctured his cheek with the rods.

Recalled Items

Baby Wind Chime # 493

Baby Wind Chime – Ocean # 593

Tiny Smarts – Baby Bunny # 512

Wind Chime – Duck # 811

*The Wind Chime – Duck is sold with the Gymini Kick and Play

Activity Gym. Only the Wind

Chime is affected by this Recall.

Wind Chime – Louie # 516

Wind Chime – Ella # 517

Tiny Smarts Gift Set # 539

*Bunny Wind Chime is the only product affected by this Recall. These products were sold at Toys R Us, Wal-Mart, Target, Buy Buy Baby and TJ Maxx stores nationwide from February 2002 through February 2010 for about $8 separately, $22 for the Tiny Smarts Gift Sets and $70 with the Gymini Kick & Play Activity Gym.

Read Full Report Here

Baby Proofing Basics for Baby Safety

 If you’re expecting a new baby in your home, you want to make sure that your home is “Baby Proofed” so it’s one less thing you have to worry about. 

Review our list below of Baby Proofing Basics for baby safety tips.

Kitchen Checklist

1. Install stove guards and knob covers on the oven
2. Secure cabinets with latches (especially cabinets containing cleaning products)
3. Invest in a fire extinguisher that can tackle grease fires
4. Use the back burners as much as possible
5. Always make sure handles are turned toward the back of stove when cooking (not sticking out over the front edge of stove-top)
6. Move magnets off the fridge or out of baby’s reach (can be choking hazards)

Living Room Checklist

1. Attach wind-ups or cord shortners to window coverings
2. Cushion sharp edges with guards
3. Secure furniture from tipping with L-brackets
4. Place a secure gate in front of fireplace
5. Opt for a TV stand with an outer lip, which will keep items from falling
6. Make sure all socket outlets contain plastic socket covers.
7. Clear all nick-knacks or breakables out of baby’s reach.

Bedroom Checklist

1. Cover your favorite duvet; cover with a sheet when baby is around.
2. Cover sockets with socket covers.
3. Install window stops to prevent them from opening over four inches.
4. Tame loose wires with cord clips.
5. Clear fragiles off off nightstands.

General Safety Tips

*Never ever leave baby unattended!

In case you have heard the latest baby buzz…”Babies” The Movie is due to arrive in theatres near you in May. Baby lovers all over will be flocking to see this adorble new movie featuring four beautiful babies from different parts of the world. You’ll meet babies “Bayar from Mongolia, “Ponijao” from Namibia, Hattie from San Francisco, and “Mari: from Japan. Capturing precious first moments from birth through first steps, captivating, emotional and stunning, this movie is sure to capture your heart! 

 Hmmm…being released at the same time Spring arrivess and Love is in the air…I’m sensing a possible baby boom about nine months later!

Scrap booking for Baby or anything else for that matter is not only a fun hobby and creative past-time, it’s a way of preserving special memories that serves as a special keepsake for a lifetime.  It’s similar to a photo book or baby book but can be more detailed by adding your thoughts and feelings and personalized to your featured subject or your own personality which is why I love it.  First, lets talk about scrap-booking in general and then I’ll share some of my own personal scrap-booking I’ve created.

Scrapbook Themes

What’s really great about scrap booking is that you can do one on any theme your heart desires.  Pregnant? Why not start a scrapbook on your pregnancy recording 1st doctor visits, pictures of your self as your belly starts to grow, ultrasound pics of baby, you can feature a month to month progress up until the day your baby is born. Then of course, you’ll want to start another theme featuring baby himself.  You can also create scrapbooks on baby’s pre-school years, then school years, college days and any other special events that he encounters growing up.  You can scrapbook about special family vacations and just about anything else that means something to you that you may want to remember and look back on some day and show to your future grandchildren! 

I actually did a scrapbook on my son’s Karate experiences.  It was my first attempt at scrap booking.  I only wish I had started one years ago but I plan to still do a baby scrapbook for him soon.  Luckily, I’ve been saving special pictures and other pieces of his history safely tucked away in a keepsake box, that will make perfect additions to his book.  I have found my scrapbooking experience so far to be a  lot of fun and even though I’ve never considered myself to be very creative, I have discovered that I can be if I try.  More on my scrapbook later, let’s talk more about details on getting started if your a first timer too.

How to Get Started With Scrapbooking

Of course, after you’ve selected your theme, you’ll need to purchase a scrapbook and materials that will assist you in your creative venture.  You’l also want to gather some pictures that you have of your featured guest.  There are lots of sites online where you can purchase your items or visit your local crafts store, which is what I did, because I’m a hands on kind of person, I wanted to actually hold and examine everything I was considering.  Plan at least a couple of hours to browse the aisles because there is so much too choose from and you don’t want to rush into buying things that you might not need or at least not need right away.  I started out with just a few items to get me started, then once I actually sat down to begin, more ideas came to me, so I made of list of what I wanted to do next and what I might need to purchase.  Trust me, it can be an expensive hobby so be careful if you don’t want to break the bank on your creativity, and by going slow, you can spend a little at a time vs. alot all at once.  I can easily get over excited and purchase things I might end up not using if I’m not careful because everything is so cute, especially the baby and kids stuff. Also, watch for sales and special discounts being offered on scrapbooking supplies, this could help cut down on the cost tremdously.

Suggested Materials List

• Photos
• Scrapbook ( Any size you like)
• Ribbons
• Embellishments (Buttons, Stickers, Brads, etc.)
• Stickers and Scrapbooking Rub-Ons
• Art Supplies (glue, hot glue gun, 2 way sticky tape, markers, pens, etc.)
• Tools (Scissors, Rulers, Paper Punch, Die-Cutters, etc.)
• Organizers (For storing supplies)

View this great video by APieceofCraft.com…She makes scrapbooking look like a Piece of Cake! 

Some Pictures of My Own Scrapbooking Venture

 As you can see, I’m no expert and this was my first attempt so with that said, I think it turned out pretty darn good!  Since my son attends ”The All American Karate”, I chose an all american theme and as you can see, I chose to display each of his certificates on it’s own page with an actual piece of his belt he received on each graduation.  I plan to set this out on a table at his high school graduation party some day, along with other future scrapbooks I create of his life, I’m so looking forward to showing off his accomplishments over the years!

If you’ve never tried scrapbooking, I hope this article has inspired you to give it a try! If you consider yourself an expert scrapper then by all means, share! Let’s Get Srappin’!

For Great Tips & Ideas

Visit Scrapbooking101.net for great articles on baby scrapbooking, general information, supplies, basic techniques, using patterned paper and more!  They do a great article on ideas on how to make a baby book and include suggestions on layout and things to include to make your baby’s scrapbook extra special and memorble!

Suggested Online Scrapbooking Retailers

Scrapbooking Warehouse

Michaels

Organic Baby

So you want a green baby?  Well not literally, we know what you mean…you want to give your baby the very best all natural kinda babyhood, right?  OK then, so we’re on the same page here, I think we can help!  We’ve collected all kinds of useful information on raising an organic baby starting with an explanation of what organic baby products are and what it means exactly and then on to some supplies and sources on where to get them.  So let’s get started, shall we?

What are Organic Baby Products?

Organic baby products are made without pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, growth hormones, genetically modified organisms, additives, irradiation or sewage sludge.   Organic is an ecological way of producing clothing and food products in a natural way that doesn’t harm the earth and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity promoting ecological harmony.  So it’s  good for mother earth which is why it is also referred to as “eco-friendly”. It’s good for babies because production of food and products does not include harsh chemicals or dyes.  The manufacturer of such a product can only make these claims in marketing and advertising materials, if the product has obtained organic certification. “Certified Organic” refers to items that have met strict guidelines set forth by “The National Organic Standards Board”.

So Why Organic For My Baby?

Babies skin is six times more porus and thinner then adults. If harsh chemicals are used in the production of their clothing and skin care products, their soft subtle skin is absorbing it up and being digested into their bloodstream. Definitely not a good thing.  By feeding baby only organic foods, you are insuring that harsh chemicals are not being entered directly into babies body.  Oganic baby products are the purest and best products for your baby and Green Babies are happy babies!

Organic Baby Products

So what types of baby products are available out there?  Everything from baby bedding to walking shoes and everything in between!

• baby bedding
• baby blankets
• baby bottles
• baby diapers
• baby clothing
• baby food
• baby skincare products
• baby toys

It’s big and roomy interior contains 2 snap pockets to keep smaller stuff sorted. On the outside, this bag features a large front pocket with snaps, 3 back pockets, and an elastic pouch on each end, for water or baby bottles. And to save time (and reduce your stress!) just reach inside for the attached key-catcher, to keep those essentials handy!

Do you insist on organic products for your baby?  Leave us a coment and share!

Great Places To Find Organic Baby Products

• Organically Hatched
• Pure Rest Organics

Eating Healthy For You and Your Baby

We’ve all heard the saying “you are what you eat”.  The same applies to your baby; your baby is also what you eat when you are pregnant.

Healthy eating habits are important to take care of yourself  but if you are expecting a new little bundle of joy, it’s doubly important. Now you are responsible for someone else as well so eating right is crucial. Just as important, is that you teach baby good eating habits right from the start so he carries on with it throughout his lifetime but that’s a whole other article.

So let’s talk about why it’s so important that you eat right when you are pregnant.  Good nutrition is important for the proper development and well being of your baby.  What you eat now and how healthy your baby is throughout life depends a lot on what you eat during pregnancy. You should consume about 300 more calories per day now that you are eating for two.

Healthy Eating Guidelines During Pregnancy

Healthy Eating Guidlines Chart

*Dieting during pregnancy is not recommend.  Remember, you need 300 more calories per day if you are pregnant so don’t diet. Try a safe but regular exercise program to help keep you fit and in shape, walking is one of the safest forms of exercise and also aids in quicker deliveries.

Healthy Diet Tips

• You will very likely experience cravings, but eating a balanced diet now is more important than ever. So eat healthy – do not skip meals.
• If you are trying to conceive, take folate supplement now.
• If you are already pregnant, take your daily prenatal vitamin supplement.
• If you do not eat 4 – 6 servings of dairy daily, do some math on your daily calcium intake. Don’t forget the calcium content in your prenatal vitamin. If the total is less than 1000mg, you may need to take a calcium supplement.

Many women experience cravings during pregnancy due to all the changes going on inside her body.  Just know that cravings are a natural part of pregnancy and if you should find yourself craving something,  try to go for something healthy to curb it.  There are numerous recipes online and recipe books for pregnant women available so do search out ones that might target some of your cravings, cooking is also a fun and great passtime to help minimize the long nine month wait.

Some women crave nonfood items such as clay, ice, laundry starch, or cornstarch, this is not a natural part of pregnancy. A desire to eat nonfood items is called pica (PYE-KUH). Eating nonfood items can be harmful to your pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you have these urges

Healthy Chocolate Pudding

Got A Sweet Craving…Try this recipe for Chocolate Pudding!

Prep time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

½ c. unsweetened cocoa powder

1 Hass avocado, flesh only

8 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped

1 c. + 2 tbsp. evaporated skim milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Combine cocoa, avocado, dates, and vanilla in food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Add evaporated milk until desired consistency.
3. Chill before serving, if desired.

Note: The amount of evaporated skim milk needed may vary, depending on the size of the avocado used.

Makes: 4 servings

Serving size: about 1/3 c.

Nutritional analysis (per serving):
288 calories
7 g protein
8 g fat
1 g sat. fat
47 g carbohydrate
9 g fiber
2 mg cholesterol
50 mg sodium
152 mg calcium
4 mg iron
51 mcg folic acid

Nutritional analysis may vary depending on ingredient brands used.

Why this recipe is good for pregnant or breastfeeding women:

This no-guilt, no-cook, high-fiber, low-fat dessert is an excellent source of iron and fiber, and a good source of protein, calcium, vitamin K, riboflavin, vitamin B6, and folic acid, all of which are important nutrients during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Weight Gain

The amount of weight you should gain during pregnancy depends on your body mass index (BMI) before you became pregnant. The Institute of Medicine provides these guidelines:

• If you were at a normal weight before pregnancy, you should gain about 25 to 30 pounds.
• If you were underweight before pregnancy, you should gain between 28 and 40 pounds.
• If you were overweight before pregnancy, you should gain between 15 and 25 pounds.
• If you were obese before pregnancy, you should gain between 11 and 20 pounds.

Check with your doctor to find out how much weight gain during pregnancy is healthy for you.

You should gain weight gradually during your pregnancy, with most of the weight gained in the last trimester. Generally, doctors suggest women gain weight at the following rate:

• 2 to 4 pounds total during the first trimester
• 3 to 4 pounds per month for the second and third trimesters

*Remember eating for 2 means eating healthy, it should not mean over-eating just because your eating for two!  Many women actually gain too much weight and have a harder time losing the “baby fat” afterwards. Studies have shown that women who gain too much weight during pregnancy and fail to lose it within a six month period are at a greater risk for being obese 10 years after the pregnancy. Findings from another large study suggest that gaining more weight than the recommended amount during pregnancy may raise your child’s odds of being overweight in the future

*Try to avoid large amounts of caffeine found in coffee, teas and soda pops.  Some studies suggest that too much caffeine can be linked to miscarriages, always check with your doctor if you should have any questions.

*Stay clear totally of Alcohol as no amount is safe for pregnant women.  The alcohol is absorbed through your blood stream and into the umbilical cord and into baby’s bloodsteam. Alcohol can slow down the baby’s growth, affect the baby’s brain, and cause birth defects.

Resources for Healthy Eating During Pregnancy

• Pregnancy Diet written by Dietitians
• Eating Right When Pregnant
• Pregnancy: Eating Right While Pregnant

Books on Amazon about Healthy Eating During Pregnancy