Love this travel tray!

Most of our traveling during the year is done by car. We rarely take both kids with us on an airplane as toddlers require too much stuff. However, long car rides to the beach or the mountains can end up being a nightmare. We try to plan the trips around nap time, but it never fails that they don't sleep. Instead they are trying to have me entertain them from the front seat. I recently stumbled upon some great travel trays! Taby Trays are great for the car seat and great for the stroller too (I have not used it with the stroller).

They are large enough for my children to color on, have their snack on, and best of all, they have a cup holder built it! I used it this summer for the first time on our way to the beach. My kids absolutely loved it! It stayed level and didn't move around. It has a place to put your crayons or markers and your sippy cup. It is super easy to clean! You can order these trays for around $20 each, or you can check out http://www.tabytray.com/ and they offer multiple tray discounts. I think that this tray is going to be a huge asset for our many road trips!

T

Children's Loungewear Recalled by Warm Biscuit Bedding Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standards

This recall involves loungewear sets for children described as "Lounge-Around-the-Housewear", "Lounge-About-Housewear" or "Short sets." The garments were sold in a variety of styles, colors and printed fabrics. They were sold in sizes S (1-2 yr), M (2-3 yr), L (3-4 yr), XL (4-5 yr), 6 yr, 7 yr and 8 yr. All of the garments have a label on the inside that says: "These garments do NOT comply with the Federal Flammability Standards and therefore are not suitable for sleepwear". The style numbers are 301101, 301102 and 301103 and are located on the packaging.

For more information go to http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09236.html

Bugaboo Recalls Strollers Due to Risk of Brake Failure

Bugaboo recalls nearly 23,000 Bee Strollers due to risck of brake failure. Go to http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09233.html to get more details.

Green Friday! Greenbabybargains.com

Hi all and welcome back to another Green Friday with Bliss Baby Planners! This week we would like to introduce http://www.greenbabybargains.com/. We understand that with the economy like it is, people are looking for a bargain anywhere they can find one. This website is a great place to find a bargain, and a really good one at that! Monday through Friday they put up one new "bargain" each day. The bargains are always at least 50% off and are available until they sell out that day. The next day is a whole new bargain. Each item posted on their website is eco-friendly and they use only eco-consious vendors. You have to act fast to get these bargains as they are only there until the next morning, or until they sell out! The good news is that you can sign up for their bargain emails to let you know what the bargain of the day is right in your inbox! Bad news is that if it doesn't fit, you can't return it. All sales are final!!! So, if you are looking for a bargain check this website out. Even if it is not what you are looking for that day, try back tomorrow! Happy shopping!

T

Potty training on the go!

Summer time is the time when we are always on the go, but potty training is one thing that has to remain constant. I will never forget the first time that we traveled with my daughter in her big girl underwear. As soon as we were on a stretch of road where there was no place to stop we hear, "Mommy, I need peepee now!" Wow, I still can't believe that we actually pulled over to the side of the street and tried to explain that she was going to need to go to the bathroom outside!! After that moment I was on a mission to find a solution to that issue, so it would NEVER happen again. Fortunately, the solution was very easy to find. After a quick stop at my local Babies R Us, I found the Potette Plus 2-in-1 Travel Potty.



This little potty can sit right on the ground or it can be used as an adapter for a full-sized toilet when traveling. I comes with little plastic bags with an absorbent core inside and you simply put the bag around the potty, have your little one have a seat and then tie the bag up and throw it away. I really only purchased the potty for "emergency only" type situations and I didn't think I would need it very often, but if I did need it I would have it. However, I pack that little potty with me everywhere I go. It fits in my diaper bag, in my backpack, and in my carry-on luggage. It stays in the back of my car for instances like the initial incident. It never fails, when we are on a long walk, or at the park with friends, someone's child always has to go to the potty and they can! So before you hit the road for a roadtrip this summer, or before you head for the airport, make sure you pick up one of these fantastic little lifesavers. For around $15, you won't be sorry!

T

Green Friday: Melissa and Doug

With all of the concern around children's toys and lead in the paints, I have found that it is pretty important to make sure that I am keeping my children safe especially when it comes to their toys. My son is 2 and sometimes he still ends up with a toy or two in his mouth. I have always been a big fan of Melissa and Doug products, but I am even a bigger fan after finding out that they are eco-friendly. Their toys are made from all natural wood and colored with non-toxic water based paints. They contain no lead and are a fantastic alternative to plastic toys that are derived from petroleum. These toys are easily found in just about any store or website that sells children's toys. The prices of the toys are incredibly reasonable, especially for the quality of product. If you are looking for a birthday gift for a child, I would definitely suggest a Melissa and Doug toy. My daughter is 3 and she is a HUGE fan of the magnetic wooden dress up dolls pictured here which retails for $19.99.

My son is 2 and his favorite Melissa and Doug toy is his Firetruck Sounds Puzzle shown here which retails for $12.99.

My kids have had loads of fun with all of their Melissa and Doug toys and I am sure the same will be true of any child who recieves one of these toys. Happy playing!

T

Banish the Post Baby Belly with the Belly Bandit!

by Marta Kiss, Belly Blossom Contributor

Being a new mom is a very special time. Being overwhelmed with love for a newborn and busy around the clock with feedings, changing etc. leaves little if any time for mom to give herself any attention. Getting her belly back may seem like an impossible task to accomplish any time in the near future. Luckily, the Belly Bandit can help with this problem and help you get your body back without all the hard work! I am very excited to introduce this new product that was developed by moms to help moms get their pre-pregnancy body back faster without taking any time away from the baby!

The Belly Bandit is a fitting abdominal wrap that fits around the belly and back. Made from latex free elastic, it is both very comfortable and breathable. The Belly Bandit acts as support to help aid any discomfort felt post birth, and it helps reduce swelling in the belly due to water retention. It also provides excellent benefits for moms who are breastfeeding as it relieves pain and promotes good posture. In addition, compressing the belly like this can also reduce stretch marks!

One of the best things about the Belly Bandit is its thin and lightweight material. It can be worn under any clothing without being detected and the fabric has smooth edges, no tags and is easy on the skin.

The Original

The Original Belly Bandit is what has given this great product its name. The elastic is durable and is tense enough to straighten out the back without being too tight or too loose. The Original Belly Bandit comes in nude, black, or white.

The Bamboo

The Bamboo Belly Bandit is the most popular of the three styles. Since it is made from bamboo, it’s naturally organic and 100% biodegradable. The Bamboo Belly Bandit is extremely soft and is also anti-bacterial, hypoallergenic, and anti-microbial. It is number one recommended for moms having a C-section because it will protect and heal the scar faster since bamboo is proven to stop bacteria fungi that causes odor and infection from growing. The Bamboo Belly Bandit will also heavily aid in reducing swelling and water weight by absorbing the water naturally. Bamboo evaporates the water as it is pulled away from the skin. The Bamboo Belly Bandit comes in nude and black.

The Belly bandit is recommended to be worn for six to eight weeks starting the day after birth or C-section. It can be worn all day as long as it is taken off to shower or bathe. To make sure the Belly Bandit is the right size, a measurement around the abdominal area must be taken. If the measurement is prior to delivery, three to five inches should be subtracted from that measurement to get the right size. It the measurement is taken right after birth, the exact measurement should be used. There is a measurement guide on the website and on the back of the product that shows the corresponding sizes and measurements in both inches and centimeters. The Belly Bandit is meant to fit on the snug side, however it is not meant to be uncomfortably tight.

There are countless advantages to using the Belly Bandit. It is recommended by doctors and celebrities around the country. We know how important the first few bonding months are for mom and baby, and now the focus can all be on the baby without feeling any guilt about shrinking your belly! So come on into Belly Blossom or check us out at http://www.bellyblossom.com/ and give the Belly Bandit a try.

Play Yard Recall

Eddie Bauer Play Yards with Rocking Bassinets Recalled by Dorel Juvenile Group Due to Suffocation Hazard.

http://www.cpsc.gov/

Cute Green Gift

For those of you looking for a cute baby shower gift that is green, you should really check out the I play Organic Cotton Gift Set. The gift set includes a super cute embroidered bodysuit, cap, bib, and booties made from 100% organic cotton. It all comes packaged in a gift box. Here is a picture of the Sweet Pea gift set, but there is also Pumpkin (ecru), Sugar Plum (pink), and Cornflower (blue). The best part of the gift is its price. Check out BabiesRUs.com and find this gift set for under $40.

T

Preparing the Siblings

Congratulations! You are having a baby…again. A baby is a big change for everyone in the family. Especially if there are going to be siblings involved. There are a few things you can do to help with this transition that I found very helpful. I hope it will work for you as well!

1. Let the older siblings be involved with the pregnancy as much as you can. Let them go to an ultrasound appointment, feel the baby kick, pick out accessories for the nursery, sing songs to your belly so that the baby can recognize their voice.



2. Read books about what happens when the new baby arrives. Tell them the good…and the bad such as the frequent newbon crying.



3. When doing a hospital tour, see if it is ok to bring your younger children with you on the tour. They will also get an idea of the type of room you will stay in, the baby nursery, the friendly staff. This will put the younger kids at ease. Also, some birthing facilities offer sibling preparation classes.



4. Make sure you get your partner to help as much as possible with bathtime, bedtime, and other child care responsbilities before your baby arrives. These routines will make things much easier for the new mom when she gets home, and the younger child will be used to daddy doing the same things that mommy has always done.



5. Try to keep the day as normal as possible for younger siblings. For example, if you go into delivery in the morning and your kids normally would go to daycare or preschool, let them go as planned. Also, prepare them ahead of time if there will be a new caretaker such as grandma, aunt, or neighbor.



6. Get a tee that says big brother or big sister as a gift. This will let them know their new role, and they will display it proudly. Also, let them act out their new role. Let them help get you a diaper, help with bathtime, sing an lullaby, etc.



7. When the kids come to visit for the first time in the hospital, let them touch baby’s toes, kiss the baby’s hands. This helps them bond. Just be sure they wash or sanitize their hands first!



8. I had my kids and my newborn do a gift exchange. For example, my daughter M. gave my newborn a stuffed rattle toy that was proudly displayed with the baby. In exchange, the new baby gave my daughter an activity book with crayons. This allowed my daughter to stay busy with her new activity as we hung out in the hospital room. Or you might want to give siblings a doll that they can feed, change, and take care of their doll. Kids like to parallel activites that they see parents engaged in.



9. Bring a DVD to watch and some books. This allows some snuggle and quiet time at the hospital.



10. You will be telling your older sibling to wait a minute, or to hold on pretty frequently. Especially during nursing time, diaper changes, bath time, and of course bedtime. Make it a point to tell your newborn also to wait a minute or to hold on, and be sure the older sibling hears you say it. I know, it is psychological, but it shows that the older siblings needs are being met as well. Also, mommy must make some time to give each older sibling some attention by themselves.

Best,

T

Working Mother Magazine Features Baby Planners

Bliss is thrilled that Working Mother Magazine featured an article on Baby Planners in their March 2009 issue.

Highlighting this new niche is very exciting. Bliss is here to here to serve executives, doctors, and busy moms taking out the stress of preparing for baby, and while on maternity leave. Bliss is a member of the The National Baby Planner Association (NBPA).





Read more at Working Mother.

Green Friday for Parents!

Well, another Friday is upon us and another Green Friday post is here. I have read and experienced the fact that children really take pride in what they can do themselves, so my husband and I decided that our children would really benefit from helping in a garden, a very small garden. On Sunday we decided as a family that we were going to plant our very own garden and grow our very own food. We took the children to our local store and purchased all of the things that we would need to plant our garden. We let them help us pick out the soil, fertilizer, plant food, seeds that they wanted to plant, tomato plants, and of course some Dora and Diego gardening tools.



After dinner on Sunday, we all headed out to the backyard to start our garden. Our garden is a tiny little garden because our kids are just 2 and 3 years old. I think that the best part of planting the garden for the kids was being able to play with the dirt AND water at the same time. My son who is 2 is not quite ready to really understand how things grow, but he sure loves helping water the plants. My daughter, on the other hand, is 3 and a half and she really gets it. As we were planting the garden on Sunday, she went into a little speech about how our plants were going to need sunshine, water, and LOVE! How sweet is that! I have to admit that I am pretty excited about our little garden. This is the first time I have had a garden and I am certain that I am going to learn just as much as my kids do. And I must add that I am definitely looking forward to a "fresh-from-the-garden" tomato sandwich in about 10 weeks!



So here are the things I am hoping to teach my preschoolers:

1. That food doesn't come just from the supermarket.

2. The responsibilities of caring for a garden that will need to be tended to daily (with our help of course).

3. Patience as gardens do not grow overnight.

4. Most importantly, if you take care of the earth, the earth will provide yummy treats for us to eat!



I know that this post isn't exactly on the "baby" front, but I hope that you can use this information to get your family outside and planting something. Whether it be a small flower, a small garden, or even a tree, this will prove to be a great experience in teaching your children how to care for the earth. Happy Green Friday!



T

Get Packing Part 2 - Packing for the Expecting Dad

So I made the list of what the mom-to-be needs in her delivery bag. Well, I have heard from many of you that I need to include what to pack for the dad-to-be.

So here is my top ten list for dad.

1. Chargers (for the camera, video camera, ipod, phone).
2. Warm clothes such as a sweatshirt or light jacket. The mom-to-be is usually so hot during labor, that the A/C is cranked up and poor dad is shivering.
3. Pj’s if dad is planning on spending the night at the hospital.
4. Toiletries such as deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush.
5. Pillow and blanket, much more comfy than the sheet the hospital will give him.
6. Snacks so that he does not have to keep leaving the room because he is starving. Pack snacks that you really do not like, since the preggers can not eat during labor.
7. Names and phone numbers of people that are on your calling list. As well as a calling card, if the hospital is strict about mobile phone usage.
8. Magazines for light reading.
9. Labor support tools such as massage oil and massage tools.
10. Pain relief medication in case of a headache. Trust me, you won’t want to complain and no one will be worried about your headache, because really who is in more pain. You or your lovely wife giving birth!

Hope this was helpful! I would love to hear your comments, or if you think I left anything out.

Best,
T

Green Friday!!

Welcome back for another Green Friday! This week we are going to go to the basics of going green. We know that it is not always easy to go completely green and we are here to help you choose the shade of green that fits your baby and your lifestyle. During this months conference call with the National Baby Planners Association we found that one of the most common questions we get asked as Baby Planners is what is the most important ways to go green. After hearing what other baby planners and Brenda Berg had to say, these are the three most important ways to go green with your baby according to us here at Bliss.

1. Feeding: Organic foods are more expensive so you can check out the top items to buy organic. Here are the foods that consumer reports says to buy organic: Apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, imported grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, red raspberries, spinach, and strawberries. Even after washing these items when purchased non organic, they had higher levels of pesticide residue. Here are the foods consumer reports says that is safe to buy non organic: Asparagus, avocados, bananas, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet corn, kiwi, mangos, onions, papaya, pineapples, and sweet peas. Consumer reports found that these produce are rarely grown using pesticides.

2. Sleeping: With most of baby's time being spent sleeping in their crib, we feel that an organic or natural matress is definitely worth the investment.

3. Diapering: There are so many choices available now to parents who want to be more eco-friendly with diapers. You have the option of chlorine-free diapers, diapers with flushable linings, and of course cloth diapers which have become incredibly easy to use.

For those of you who are trying to find a way to be a little more green, congratulations and remember that everything you do helps, even if you feel like it is a small contribution. Have a great weekend and we look forward to seeing you back for another Green Friday next week!

T & T

Get Packing Part 1 - Essentials for Labor, Delivery, and Hospital Stay

We get this question all the time. What should I pack in my hospital bag? At the hospital where I delivered my children, the hosptial did provide me with a few neccessities that I did not have to bother bringing myself. I treated my hosptial stay as if I was going to a hotel. Really, if you go in with that mindset it is not so bad. There is room service, housekeepers, and your own personal concierge…ok maybe that is pushing it, but the nurses are very helpful.


Now I did end up having a c-section with both deliveries, and so I did ask a panel of moms what they thought was a necessity for labor and delivery. For check in, be sure to have your drivers license, insurance card, and admission forms.


Here is my essential list for labor, delivery, and hospital stay:

Labor

• A copy of your birth plan (though do not get disappointed if your plan does not go the way you expect it to). The key is to be flexible to a certain degree, and in the end you want a healthy baby.


• Your own delivery gown. I wish this was an option with my deliveries. You will feel so much prettier bringing your own gown, especially in all the pictures. Check out http://www.dearjohnnies.com/ for some trendy looking gowns that the celebs choose to wear.


• Slippers or non slip socks.


• Your iPod if you want to listen to music while you labor.


• Candles and/or aromatherapy to make your sterile room a bit more relaxing.


• Sugar free hard candy or lollipops (your mouth gets really dry).


• Lip balm (your lips get dry as well).


• A pony tail holder or hair band, so that you can push your hair away if it starts to annoy you.

After Delivery

• Camera, videocamera (do not forget to make sure everything is charged and you have extra batteries just in case).


• Healthy snacks because you will be hungry. For those having a c-section, you will be on a clear liquid diet for the first 24 hours.


• Up to date phone book.


• A phone card, just in case your hospital is strick about mobile phone usage.

Hospital Stay

• Your toothbrush/toothpaste, deodorant, and other necessities. If you are picky go ahead and bring soap, shampoo, etc.


• Your makeup bag.


• Hairbrush and other items such as hairdryer or flat iron.


• Bathrobe.


• Disposable underwear. Trust me on this one. My hospital provided the underwear, pads, and soothing items. You might want to check on this with your hospital, since sending out your hubby to buy these items could be frustrating.


• Slippers or non-skid socks.


• A good nursing bra is a must on your list. Bravado Designs makes the best nursing bras on the market.


• A nursing cover so that when your family and friends come to visit, you can continue to nurse with confidence. Check out the nursing covers from bebe au lait.


• A nursing gown or pj’s and a robe. I liked my nursing gowns and pj’s from Japanese Weekend.


• Magazines. Forgot about reading books. You will want something light to read.
  An outfit to wear home. Most likely you will look about 5 months pregnant with the water retention and other extra fluids and lbs floating around. Bring something loose and comfy.

For baby

• Adorable going home outfit, make sure you have a hat.


• Receiving blanket.


• Be sure that the baby carrier seat has already been installed in your car.

Best,

T

Green Friday!

Hello all! Well, another Friday is upon us so here is this week's going green blogpost. On Monday we met with Brenda Berg from Scandinavian Child and had a wonderful time getting to know her, her team, and most importantly the amazing products her company carries. I was definitely most impressed with the Svan highchair. This highchair is absolutely amazing! I love it because it is adjustable and supports the weight of a 6-month old up to an adult! I have been struggling with finding the perfect chairs for my children. My daughter, who is 3, does not need to be restrained with any type of harness at the dinner table, but she does need to be elevated so that she can reach the table. My son, on the other hand, DOES need to be restrained in his chair so that he will stay at the table, yet he is too big to still sit in the highchair that we have. So at my house we have a highchair, two booster seats, two chair boosters that go under the chair to lift the chair to table height, and a toddler chair. To say the least we have not quite figured out what is going to work best for our kids, until now!

Here are the features of the Svan highchair according to the website http://www.scichild.com/ :

• Adjustable seat depth and footrest


• Wooden tray and dishwasher-safe plastic tray cover included


• Brings child to the family table; converts to Youth Chair


• Ages 6 months and up


• Available in 5 finishes


• Constructed of sustainable birch wood, phthalate-free and bisphenol A-free plastic and PBDE-free foam


• Optional high-quality, washable cushion in a wide variety of colors


• JPMA certified to meet ASTM F404

This chair seems to have the best of all worlds. It is eco-friendly, mom-friendly, and the children seem to love this chair too. Not to mention that there are many different finishes and cushion colors to choose from. The chair cost around $250 and you don't have to buy any other chairs, booster seats, or crazy contraptions to lift your chairs. After this one purchase, you are done!Bliss Baby Planners are very excited to be preparing our first order of these highchairs. Check them out on their website http://www.scichild.com/ and let us know if you are interested in ordering a Svan for you little one. Have a great weekend!

T

Love these Labels

After a year and a half of taping labels to my children's sippy cups for their parent's morning out program, I have found some amazing labels. The Inchbug Bumpyname Orbit Labels are awesome! Thanks to these labels, there is no more sticky residue left on my children's sippy cups from where the labels have peeled off. These labels are plastic labels the fit around just about any bottle or sippy cup. They are made of non-toxic materials and are dishwasher and microwave safe. The best part.....you can have them custom-made with your child's name on it. At an incredible price of $12.95 you can get four of these labels with your child's name on it. Oh yeah, for you parents that have children with allergies, you can order the two line labels for $13.95 for four labels and have your child's name and allergy on the label. Pretty amazing if you ask me. I ordered the labels for my children before Christmas and I have loved them! I am actually getting ready to order another set for each of them. They don't move, they don't fade, and nothing gets stuck underneath them. They also allow your kids to have a little more grip on their cups or bottles. Check them out on their website http://www.inchbug.com/. Here is a picture of them. I definitely think that you will not be dissappointed if you get these labels! I know you will LOVE them!





T

Green Friday

Hi all! We would like to welcome you to what we call Green Friday. It is our hopes that every Friday will hold a different eco-friendly post. We understand that there is a wide range of areas that you can become more green in, but we will give you some different ideas on how to go green with your baby. It will be our goal to give you eco-friendly ideas that will be easy to do and to add to your everyday life. After all, as parents we seldom have too much extra time to put into something new, even if it does help the earth.

Today's post is just simply going to be about making your own baby food. I know, for some of you it just seems like it would take up too much time that you don't have. As a matter of fact that was the way I looked at it with my first child. After having my daughter, I felt like I barely had time for myself, much less preparing baby food for my new little bundle. So I did like most parents do and just bought the organic packaged baby food at whatever store I was shopping at when I needed it. However, after my son was born I found that even getting to the supermarket with an infant and a toddler became so challenging that I decided I was going to have to get creative. At that point I decided that one thing I would try was making baby food for my son at home. I was able to buy the organic fruits and vegetables that I needed during my weekly trip to the supermarket (while my husband stayed home with the kids). I could then come home and make the baby food while the children were napping and have it all completely finished and ready to store before they were awake. They sell containers that you can fill with the baby food and freeze it until you need it. That means you can make baby food at one sitting to last for weeks. All you do when you need it is pop out the little frozen baby food cube and let it thaw.

If this isn't something that you have put much thought into, you really should look into it. There are so many things in stores now that help make it even easier, but all you really need is a food processor or blender. I was amazed at how much money I was saving by not loading up on 20+ jars of baby food everyweek. In my opinion, if I can save money while benefitting the earth, it is definitely worth a try!

Tips for finding a daycare/preschool

Whether you are looking for a daycare for your newborn, or a morning out program for your two year old, trying to find a caretaker can be stressful. Keep in mind that the really good daycares and preschools get full fast, and a lot of times will require waiting lists. If you are looking for a daycare for a newborn, start looking during your 2nd trimester of pregnancy. It is important to find the right center from the beginning, since your child will probably attend the daycare until they start elementary school. Bliss Baby Planners has put together a list of tips to make your search a bit easier.


Tip #1- Compile a list of daycares/preschools


When looking for the right daycare, you can not beat recommendations from family and friends. We are now living in the Recommendation Age. We do not want just information, but referrals! It is always good to get an insiders perspective of the good and the bad of the facility, which is sometimes not obvious when you visit the school. Parents that can’t stop ranting on how much they love a school is always a good indicator.


Tip #2 - Determine your schedule


Are you looking for full day or half day program? What time does the center open and close? Also, consider time in transit. Will it be easier to have the daycare closer to your home or to your work place? Are they open during the holidays throughout the year? Drop off and pick up policies?


Tip #3 - What are the schools credentials?


The National Association for Early Childhood Education (NAEYC) is a not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to high-quality early childhood education. You can check out their website at http://www.naeyc.org/accreditation/ to help you reach a decision. Having a license is not enough. All daycare programs that have more than 12 kids are required to have a license. This ensures that the program has met all minimum health and safety standards. The center should be willing to share their license with you on demand, or have it posted for you to see.


Tip #4 - Ask about the staff


You will want staff that are qualified and genuinely care about the well-being of the children. Do they have elementary education certification? Ask about the child to teacher ratio. Ask about the turnover rate. Have all the staff had criminal record background checks? Is the staff trained in CPR and first aid? Children need consistency, and so you do not want a school that is constantly changing. Happy staff means happy teachers!


Tip #5 - Schedule a visit


You should meet with the school’s managing director and/or the owner. You should get a tour, but also request to observe a classroom for 30 minutes. Make sure it looks clean and tidy. Is there enough room for the children to move around and interact. Is there a playground? Does everything look safe? Where do the children eat? Sleep? Diaper changes? Sinks in the rooms for handwashing? Discipline policy? Sick child policy? Do the kids look happy in the rooms, or do they seem neglected? Do the teachers talk down to the children or are they eye level?



In the end, go with your gut instinct. You will know! And you should be 100% convinced about your decision. If you have even the tiniest bit of doubt, talk it out and see what is it that is your concern.



We had a client who had checked out schools and put down a deposit to a particular daycare before we met her. She was 95% sure that the school was great. After we met, and she told us about the daycare, but still had a few reservations. The client was feeling the time crunch since her baby was due in 6 weeks. We told her what we had learned from our own personal experiences and other clients. She was now unsure about the facility. We gave her a list of daycare recommendations to check out, and told her what to ask and look for during the tour. After our conversation she found a school that she was 100% sure about sending her baby. It was more convenient to her and her husband. It was cleaner. Lower turnover rate, lower ratios, and she knew that it “felt right” after she made the decision. She lost the deposit that she had put for the first school, but she was so happy and had peace of mind after switching schools that the money did not matter.


Best,
T

To clip or not to clip.....

If I had to chose one word to describe me it would NOT be frugal. As a matter of fact that word may not even be in the top 10 words to describe me, however, with the economical crunch we are faced with I am trying to find ways to save money. My latest challenge has been coupons. I have tried numerous times to clip coupons and I either lose them or leave them at home, but this time it is different. It is a CHALLENGE! How much money can I save each week at the super market. For those of you who don't know me, you will soon find out that I love a good challange. Two weeks ago I challenged myself to see just how much I could cut my grocery bill each week.

My first stop was obviously the Sunday paper. I cut out the coupons that I usually use and any coupons that I might end up using like on cleaning supplies and such. After that I went to the computer and googled free grocery coupons. I found that there are many places to get free coupons, but all of the coupons seemed to pretty much be the same, so I decided to go with http://www.coupons.com/. When you type in your zipcode it will pull up all of the coupons that go with your zipcode and you can print them right from your home. After that I googled super target coupons and found coupons on Target's website that I can print and use in their store. Once I printed all of my coupons I made my grocery list and made sure to write a "c" for coupon beside the items that I had coupons for. With two kids in tow at the supermarket, if I am not organized before I go there is a good chance I would forget half the things that I need.

My first week using coupons I saved $19 and I was super excited! I really had only anticipated a savings of $5 or $6. I usually try to keep my weekly grocery bill down to about $100 so I was looking at a savings of 20%! I was pretty impressed with myself. The second week I saved $14 and it only takes a few minutes of preparing before you head out to the super market. I know that there are people out there who tell you that you can really save a lot of money by checking the local ads at the various supermarkets in your area, but I have a 2 and 3-year old and going to multiple stores to get my groceries every week is not an option for me. Luckily I am finding that coupons just might really save me some money. At this rate, the metallic gold gladiator sandals I have my eyes on are in my near future! With a reward like new shoes, maybe I can learn to be more frugal after all!

T

Don't get burned

With the weather changing and the kids playing outside almost everyday, it is definitely time for SUNSCREEN! There are so many sunscreens in the store that say "baby" or "kids" but how do you know what is safest for your little one? Well I did a little research before going out and purchasing sunscreen for my kids.

According to the American Association of Pediatrics website this is what to look for when purchasing suncreen for your baby.

• Use a sunscreen that says “broad-spectrum” on the label - that means it will screen out both UVB and UVA rays.
• Use a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15. The higher the SPF, the more UVB protection the sunscreen has.
• For sensitive areas of the body, such as the nose, cheeks, tops of the ears, and the shoulders, choose a sunscreen or sunblock with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. While these products usually stay visible on the skin even after you rub them in, some now come in fun colors that kids enjoy.

After looking at these guidelines and looking into the many different sunscreen brands I decided on the New Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby. My son is 2 years old and he has very sensitive and fair skin. I chose this product because it is free of chemical sunscreens and because of Neutrogena's excellent reputation with sensitive skin. This sunscreen is also waterproof and doesn't feel greasy or oily on the skin. It also rubs into the skin nicely so your child doesn't have the white color on top of the skin like other zinc oxide products. This suncreen comes in a lotion form in a tube and in a stick which is pictured here. I personally like to have both on hand because I prefer the stick when applying sunscreen to the precious little faces and ears of my little munchkins. And for under $1o each I think it is a great buy!

For those of you who want another option, the Blue Lizard sunscreen was my next choice as it is chemical free too. There are great reviews for this sunscreen, but I went with the Neutrogena strictly for their background in sensitive skincare. I hope that this information is helpful in keeping your little ones safe in the sun. Happy playing at your local park or on vacation!

T

Here we are.....

Hello everyone! We are Tina and Tiffanie and we are Bliss Baby Planners. We are experienced mothers, maternity fashion stylists, and knowledgeable baby planners! We understand what it's like to work, plan for baby and keep true to who we are as wives, sisters, daughters, and friends. There is the stroller to pick, the nursery to organize, choosing a pediatrician, and the endless list goes on and on. It can be overwhelming and confusing with all the conflicting information out there on the web, our friends, and advice from our mothers. This is where Bliss Baby Planners come in to help.

Here on our blog we will be giving the latest information in baby gear, maternity fashion, and going green with your little one. Please join us as we share with you our passion for all things baby!

T & T