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5 Excellent Tips To Baby Shower Hosting

Posted on August 22, 2019
Photo by Vidal Balielo Jr. from Pexels

When one of your close friends is pregnant, it’s an exciting time — but there’s so much to do!

She has to figure out how to put in a car seat, decorate the nursery, and read through countless confusing parenting books. 

You want to throw her a baby shower to help take her mind off the stress and onto celebration. 

Need a little help?

Read our ultimate guide to throwing a baby shower the right way below.

1. Send out Invites Early

The first step of baby shower planning is getting those invites out early!

You want everyone the guest of honor cares about to be able to make it, after all. This also gives her plenty of time to set up and decide on the things she wants to list on her registry.

To get invites out ASAP, check out this free save the date template.

2. Get the Mom-To-Be’s Input

Remember, you’re throwing a baby shower for your friend, not for yourself. 

Always let her have the last word on any games, food, guest lists, and entertainment. You want her to be happy, not to resent you for insisting on doing things “your way.”

Photo by fu zhichao from Pexels

3. Find a Comfortable Hosting Space

Number one on the list of things you need for a baby shower?

A comfortable and cozy spot! The guest of honor will want to relax, spread out, and likely be in an environment she’s familiar with. 

If possible, try to host it in a friend’s home (not the mom-to-be’s own, as she shouldn’t have to handle the cleanup.) 

4. Avoid Stereotypical Games

Games are a huge part of throwing a baby shower, but things like racing to see who can change a diaper the fastest or forcing everyone to do a taste test of baby food aren’t fun for anyone. 

Instead, have everyone bring in an old baby picture of themselves and try to get guests to figure out who is who. You could also hire a singer, organize a betting pool about the time of the baby’s birth, and more. 

Any of these games are also a welcome alternative to the standard stuff. 

5. It’s OK to Serve Cocktails

Remember that just because the mom-to-be isn’t drinking doesn’t mean she doesn’t want her friends to have to do the same. 

Having a bottle of prosecco (or several more) around can make the experience of watching one person open gifts for hours much more fun. 

We also love the idea of creating a unique mocktail for the mom that’s named after her and includes her favorite alcohol-free ingredients. She shouldn’t have to stick to just sparkling water. 

Make Throwing a Baby Shower Easy with These Tips

Above all, remember that throwing a baby shower is something you do for a friend because you want to share her excitement and give her the chance to show off. 

You don’t have to spend weeks on end and thousands of dollars to make it memorable. 

Instead, focus on creating an event you know she’ll love. 

Need more tips on how to raise and celebrate a baby? 

Our blog has the advice you need. Bookmark us to stay in the know.

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Chanel Iman and Sterling Shepard Are Expecting Again {Irish Twins Alert}

Posted on August 22, 2019

It looks like model Chanel Iman is set to deliver the other half of Irish twins!

The IMG model confirmed to US Weekly that her family will grow by one addition when she and hubby New York Giants player Sterling Shepard welcome their second child next year, less than a year before welcoming their last child.

The UK Daily Mail published photos of Iman and her daughter with mom bearing a sizeable baby bump.

The couple only just celebrated the one-year birthday of their first child, daughter Cali Clay on August 12 with the most adorable birthday party!

Earlier, Shepard had stated he was anxious to learn what his baby boy would look like, but that his wife wanted to wait until fall 2019. Well here we are!

Congrats!!

Cali is going to be a big sister!

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Back To School: Stock up On Posh Kids Faves {FREE SHIPPING}

Posted on August 21, 2019
Fashion collage Janie and Jack

As school goes back in session, those of you with posh upscale retail clothiers taste may want to start stocking up on Fall faves.

My partners at Janie and Jack asked that I share with my readers the fact that its fall clothing line is now up and available.

Get reasonably priced, high quality premium clothing that will stand the test of time and look and feel lux and comfortable from Janie and Jack and receive Free Shipping Over $100.

I went through the site and picked just a few items that are on my fave list and they include:

This quilted ribbon belt dress (buy for $54)

And this Floral Jumpsuit (buy for $59)

Scallopped Potine Dress in size 3 moths to 12 years (buy for $49)

For boys

Varsity Letter jacket in 6 months to size 12 (buy for $89)

Colorblocked Oxford shirt in (buy for $26)

Pique cotton blend joggers (buy for $26)

HAPPY SHOPPING!

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Rapper Logic’s Freestyle Rapped He’s Going to Be a Dad

Posted on August 21, 2019

Here is another close to home story for me.

Fellow Maryland native, rapper Logic revealed in the video for a freestyle rap released this week that he is expecting his first child, a baby boy, US Weekly reports.

In a video for his newly released freestyle song about his ill feelings towards the music industry called “No Pressure”, Logic, whose real name is Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, ends the video which he posted on his YouTube channel on Monday, August 19:

“Surprise! It’s a little baby boy, f–k TMZ they can’t get the scoop on that shit.”

It was an affront and slam against to the gossip news organization which reported in 2018 his split from his wife of two years, singer Jessica Andrea.

Though he didn’t confirm who he is expecting with, last July, TMZ reported that he tied the knot with designer Brittney Noell.

She was spotted in an engagement ring in a friend’s post.

Congrats!

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4 Reasons Why Most Food Pouches Aren’t Good For Your Baby

Posted on August 20, 2019

A World Health Study just found that half of baby foods analyzed obtained more than 30% of calories from sugar, concentrated fruit juice or other sweetener. This habit of feeding baby sugar essentially trains kids to crave sweet foods, leading to childhood obesity, adult diabetes and heart disease.

But the problem is much deeper: those food pouches our kids love have been linked to childhood obesity, speech delays and problems with motor skills development.

Here’s why you should avoid giving your kid any food squeezed from a pouch, compliments of the folks at baby and child food company Fresh Bellies,

#1 THEY DON’T LEARN FOOD TEXTURES

According to expert Amy Shapiro of Real Nutrition NYC, pouches don’t include spoons, tools which actually help introduce your baby to see and try new textures without scaring them (for example, potatoes). Without a spoon, your little one is just drinking food.

#2 PROMOTES DELAYS IN MOTOR SKILLS

Pouches have been linked to speech delays and issues with motor skills, because kids are squeezing food in their mouth instead of practicing hand/eye coordination to put food in their mouth, which is an important developmental milestones. The prolonged sucking motion of a pouch, beyond the bottle phase, also impacts speech development.

#3 UNDERMINES SOCIAL EATING

When a child is munching on a pouch in the car for lunch or on the couch, they’re not learning to appreciate food as nourishment, understanding their body cues, or really experiencing a meal as “social time” around a table with the entire family.

#4 KIDS DON’T LEARN TUMMY CUES

Kids are squeezing food in their mouths in large gulps instead of savoring each spoonful. The “one spoonful at a time” approach gives babies the space to learn to eat when they’re hungry and to stop eating when they’re full.

With Fresh Bellies baby food (), kids learn to eat how they should – from a cup with a spoon – and without masking vegetables with things like sweet fruit. When ever possible, go with fresh.

That’s the lesson here.

 

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Revealing! Here’s What Makes You A Happy Person {Infographic}

Posted on August 20, 2019

Did you know that about 50% of your happiness level is based on your genes? However, research also suggests that around 40% comes from the choices you make in life.

Did you know that close relationships are the single biggest indicator of happiness and health longevity? Also, consider that loneliness can be just as harmful to one’s health as smoking and drinking alcohol excessively.

Here are a few other key findings but together by telehealth app Lakr:

 

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Daphne Oz Welcomes 4th Child, Daughter ‘GiGi’

Posted on August 19, 2019

Congrats, the world has another baby Gigi!

Nutritionist, natural chef and TV Host of The Dish on Oz and Master Chef Junior judge welcomed her fourth child, a baby girl, last Wednesday, August 14th.

The Chew on CBS alum shared the tender moment when her oldest daughter 5-year old Philomena Bijou met her newborn sister Giovanna “Gigi” Ines Jovanovic, on her Instagram page.

(btw: love the nickname because it is also my daughter Gabrielle’s nickname as well.)

“Thank you so much for celebrating with us!! we’re home now and settling in to life as a family of 6,” the proud mama captioned a photo of herself cradling her newborn and one of her daughters.

 

Oz and her husband John Jovanovic are already parents to  5-year old daughter Philomena, 3-year old son Jovan and 1-year old daughter Domenica.

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Back to School: Homework Will Never Be the Same

Posted on August 19, 2019

Photo by bruce mars from Pexels

Once upon a time (not that long ago, it seems), helping kids with homework was all about textbooks at the kitchen table. The chances are that your parents did this with you, and you may well have imagined doing the same with your youngsters. But it’s 2019, and technology is changing even the face of these tried and tested learning methods.

The majority of schools are now turning to online platforms to monitor and manage homework instead. This allows teachers to allocate work straight to home computers. Instead of bending over a textbook, then, your children are more likely to tap away every evening. This has definite benefits, including environmental improvements and an easier homework transaction. Not to mention that completing homework this way can help our kids to develop their tech knowledge. 

But, where does that leave us? We still want to help our children with their homework but, for many of us, this modern stuff is too much. Luckily, helping your children with their online homework needn’t be as complicated as you might think. All you need to do is take care of the more technical aspects of the process, such as –

The tools they need

Supplying homework tools has always been important, but a ruler and pencil are no longer enough. Now, you need to provide a computer which can manage their workload. You should also consider antivirus software to keep things running as fast as possible. Depending on which platform their school uses, you may even need to download specific software.

If you use a Mac but the school relies on Windows Edge, for instance, you may need to download Microsoft Edge for Mac so your children can send assignments with ease. You may even need to download individual apps to ensure they have access to all necessary tools. Only once you’ve taken care of these factors can you rest easy that their technological pencil case is full.

A block to online distractions

Blocking homework distractions is nothing new. Many parents will have children work in the kitchen or dining room for this exact reason. Now, though, you’ll need to think even harder to stop your children falling down the homework hole. That’s because, when they’re working online, they have an entire internet of distraction at their fingertips. Make sure that isn’t the case by seeking programs like Cold Turkey. This free program allows you to block certain websites or the entire internet for set periods, meaning your kids will have no choice but to buckle down. 

Can’t forget to connect

You may also want to connect their devices so that they can access homework from different locations if they so desire. That way, they can complete work even at a friend’s house or when they stay behind at school. The best option here would be to hook them up to the Cloud. That way, they can store their work and access it from any device later on. Homework really doesn’t get easier than that.

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Study: Pregnant Alcohol Intake Alters Baby’s Genes

Posted on August 19, 2019

Pregnant women are advised to stay away from alcohol, according to a new study drinking moderate to high levels of alcohol might alter the DNA of their babies.

“Our findings may make it easier to test children for prenatal alcohol exposure and enable early diagnosis and intervention that can help improve the children’s lives,” said lead author Dipak K. Sarkar, a Distinguished Professor and director of the Endocrine Program in the Department of Animal Sciences at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.

The findings of the study were published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research’. An earlier study done by Rutgers University found that binge and heavy drinking may trigger a long-lasting genetic change in adults.

continue  

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Blind Item: Guess This Anonymous Celeb News

Posted on August 18, 2019

Here is a blind item for you to try to guess the correct answer to because I just cannot blog about the real names, hence it’s bind.

This notoriously private celebrity couple just welcomed another child. They have at least two others at home.

She is well known for being a part of a cult 2000s franchise.  The husband and dad again is quite a big star in his own right and has been connected to a lot of other starlets before marrying his wife of several years.

Both are among a growing list of celebrities who have managed to control media access to her kids.

In fact, no mainstream or major reputable news organization or gossip site has reported on the birth as of this posting.

Though she has projects in the post-production and production, she still remained under the radar this last pregnancy despite being a high profile A-lister.

This third child is the third of the same gender as the previous two kids at home.

Who is it?

 

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