Early Pregnancy Symptoms

The first, early pregnancy symptoms are sometimes hard to read. Some women say that they had a single drop of blood after ovulation (implantation bleeding) and they just knew. Some felt strange sensations or fullness in their breasts. Some didn’t feel any different at all and just missed a period. What are the early pregnancy symptoms that most women experience?

-Implantation Bleeding a few days after ovulation *

-Full or Tender Breasts

-Needle-Like Sensation or tingling in your areolas, like they’ve fallen asleep

-Darkening of Areolas

-Constipation

-Frequent heartburn or indigestion

-Skipped or Very Light Period *

-Fatigue - going to bed early too often*

-Sleeplessness

-Nausea

-Frequent Urination

-Positive Pregnancy Test * - the only sure pregnancy symptom

Some pregnancy symptoms occur earlier than others, indicated with the asterisk*.

These symptoms can be experienced as early as 11 days dpo to 14 days dpo (days post ovulation), around the time your period would normally occur. Remember that not all women experience the same pregnancy symptoms. Your symptoms may be a little bit different than your friend’s symptoms, or she may have felt her pregnancy symptoms earlier than you.

Heather Burns, the author, is the owner and operator of SmartMomma.com. For more information on early pregnancy symptoms and other pregnancy and baby issues, please visit SmartMomma.com.

Dream Doers’ Success Secrets for Young Adults

Dreams abound in the imaginations of young adults. These dreams of athletic grandeur, Hollywood fame and heroic pursuits are more than fantasies to the hopeful young; they are possibilities. But as the dreamers grow, the negative influences of junior and senior high stifle their dreams and in essence impair the level of success they achieve. They are taught to discard their dreams as foolish and seek practical, ordinary jobs so they can live practical, ordinary lives.

What they are not taught is that dreamers have a duty to fulfill their dreams. They are not taught that they are creatures of infinite potential. They are not taught that if they have the ability to dream a dream, they have the ability to realize that dream. They are not taught that dreamers can be doers and that Dream Doers are unstoppable.

A Dream Doer believes he can do anything he dreams. Then he does it. The secrets to the success of this simple process are faith, courage and action.

First, a Dream Doer believes in himself and in his dreams. Dreams that do not defy the laws of God, of man or of nature should be nurtured, encouraged and fed. This leads to self-confidence. Self-confidence leads to faith, the belief that something not yet seen has already come to pass. As the confidence and faith of a young Dream Doer soars, he finds a way to manifest his dreams.

The second secret of a Dream Doer is courage. Everyone has hopes. Everyone has dreams. Everyone has desires. Hoping for things is easy. Dreaming about places to go is easy. Desiring great success in life is easy. Telling people about them? That’s hard. It’s hard to tell people because they might not believe. They might laugh. They might even ridicule. A Dream Doer, however, is brave. He believes he can do anything he dreams and therefore has the courage to put it into words no matter what anyone else says, does or believes.

Finally, a Dream Doer takes action. Action is the most important part of the equation and separates ordinary people from extraordinary ones. Dreams are the starting point, but action makes things happen. So a Dream Doer sets a big goal and then does something small toward that goal every single day. He may not succeed all at once, but little by little, he turns his dreams into memories.

Dream Doers imagine success and achieve it. Be a Dream Doer.

Bonnie Jean Schaefer is the author of The Dream Doers and the Summer of Secrets, a young adult mystery e-novel featuring a pair of best friends who believe they can do anything they dream. This book is sold exclusively on the web in serialized fashion and offers free membership to The Dream Doers Club, a growing community of success-oriented young adults. By subscribing to the story, your young Dream Doer will receive the 20-chapter book chapter by chapter through email each week over the course of 15 weeks. To learn more about this book which helps kids ages 8 and up discover the power of possibilities hidden in their dreams, visit http://thedreamdoers.com now.

Ideas on How to Host a Baby Shower - Shower Yourself with Ideas!

Are you looking for ideas on how to host a baby shower? The mind can boggle when confronted with the ideas you’ll get from people on what sort of baby shower invitations to use, what baby shower games are best and exactly what sort of baby shower centerpiece to use. Though everyone means well, it’s understandable that you’d want the baby shower to be your own creation and not an amalgamation of your friends’ ideas.

Looking for ideas on how to host a baby shower is easy. With internet access, you’re privy to ideas from around the world and can find baby shower games, baby shower invitations and ideas for baby shower centerpieces using any search engine.

For example, baby shower games don’t have to stop at “Pin the pacifier on the baby”. There’s the popular “Baby shower Bingo” or try playing “Noah’s Ark” with guests competing to see who can come up with two animals (or baby names) for every letter of the alphabet, with the quickest being the winner.

Baby shower invitations can go from expensive and elegant to those created and printed off for free. It’s all a matter of your budget and how much time you can invest.

Baby shower centerpieces can be functional yet adorable, such as the “Diaper Cake” a non-edible “cake” made from diapers and baby needs that the mother takes home with her to use after the baby is born to feeding your guests creatively by using the chocolate fountains that are all the rage right now.

When looking for ideas to host a baby shower, all you need is knowledge of what the parents like plus a modicum of creativity and you’ll do fine. With the internet, you truly can let your fingers do the walking.

Kelly Jezek is a successful Webmaster and publisher of mybabyshowerhelper.com She provides more helpful ideas on how to host a baby shower at her site. Visit my baby shower helper today!

5 Tips for Getting Kids to Eat Healthy Foods

Parents can help their kids to eat better, and make it fun! Here are some tips to increase your child’s interest in healthy foods.

1. Bring your kids grocery shopping

While in the produce section, let your kids pick out a new fruit or vegetable to try. Kids are more interested in trying new foods when they get to pick them out.

2. Prepare meals together

Let your child be part of the preparation. Whether they mix something in a bowl or pour a sauce they will be happier to eat and try new foods when they played a part.

3. Incorporate “fun foods”

Kids are drawn to foods that have different shapes, and bright colors. There are many fruits that can fall into this category such as kiwi or star fruit. You can also be creative! Instead of handing your child a whole orange, break it up into pieces and make a smiley face on the plate. You would be amazed what simple creativity can do!

4. Make desserts healthy

You can still have dessert and make it healthy too. Instead of depending on store bought cookies and candy (which provide minimal nutrients), try dipping fresh strawberries in chocolate sauce, a fruit smoothie, or a berry cobbler. These choices may have some sugar but are also adding nutrients at the same time. Remember- everything is healthy in moderation.

5. When your child wants candy

Candy is a once in a while treat. Try using one ounce of trail mix with a few m&m’s instead of a whole candy bar.

Be a role model for your children. If you enjoy physical activity and eat healthy your children will likely do the same. Encouraging physical activity and healthy food choices during childhood will help build these habits for a lifetime.

© Meri Raffetto, 2005

About the Author

Meri Raffetto is a Registered Dietitian and a recognized professional in the area of nutrition and wellness. She is the owner of Real Living Nutrition Services providing interactive online weight management programs. Sign up for her free monthly nutrition newsletter at http://www.reallivingnutrition.com.

Kids Homemade Party Hat Ideas

Try these one-of-a-kind kids party hat ideas for your next kids party. Create a colorful cast of characters with a few bits of paper, paint, glitter and glue.

From fancy bonnets to sombreros, wizard cone hats to princess crowns. Learn how to make them all with simple craft and homemade materials.

FANCY TISSUE PAPER BONNET

Have child sit to be “fitted” for their bonnet. To form the hat’s crown, place three pieces of 25 to 30 inch wrapping paper and/or colorful tissue paper on child’s head. Newspaper works fine too. Make sure the right side of the bottom paper faces down, so the underside of the hat will have color/pattern too. For a taller hat, place a rolled newspaper ball on child’s head before fashioning bonnet.

Arrange the papers at different angles so the paper points are fanned out in different directions. Wrap masking tape around the child’s head a couple of times at approximately ear level. Next, trim or roll the newspaper up to form the hat brim.

For a derby hat, roll to within an inch or two from the band and add a feather. To make a floppy bonnet, glue a ribbon sash over the masking tape band and add silk flowers. For a sombrero, add a fringe of paper or fabric to the edge of the brim.

Encourage children to further embellish their hats with paint, markers, ribbon, crepe paper, silk flowers, fabric, gift bows, pompoms, buttons, sequins, etc.

CONE-SHAPED WIZARD OR PRINCESS HATS

Roll a heavy weight piece of paper into a cone shape. Tape or staple to secure. Trim bottom edge if necessary to give it a nice rounded shape. Decorate the hat with paint, glitter, and other embellishments. Use gift wrap or scrapbooking papers for specific themes.

For a princess hat, run a piece of tulle through the top of the hat, or hot glue some maribou (boa) trim to the bottom. For a wizard hat, use a solid color and decorate with foil moon, star and planet shapes. Glow-in-the-dark stars would work great too.

Poke a hole in each side of the hat along the bottom edge. Run a knotted piece of ribbon or lightweight elastic through each hole to hold on child’s head.

LITTLE PRINCESS HEAD WREATH

Cut a piece of cellophane wire to fit your child’s head. (This type of wire has foil shapes attached to it and can be used to decorative a package instead of ribbon) Take several pieces of curling ribbon, curl on end then tie to the back of the headband. Use bright complementary colors that will look really
pretty flowing down your little girl’s back.

NEWSPAPER SAILOR HAT

Take one large newspaper sheet folded in half. You can also use wrapping paper for a pretty patterned hat, or plain paper to decorate on your own. A 16 x 19 piece is the right size to fit a child’s head.

Lay the rectangle on the table and fold each side evenly at a 45 degree angle to meet the middle crease. This makes a pointed top. Fold the bottom edges up, each to their own side, overlapping the two triangles. Tape to hold if necessary. Open up to try on your homemade hat.

VISOR HAT

Visors are an popular type of party hat. Inexpensive foam visors with an telephone-cord type band can be purchased from craft stores. They come in many bright colors and can be decorated with glitter paints and pre-cut foam pieces such as flower and bugs.

Make your own visor by cutting out the center of a paper plate to make a band to fit on the child’s head. Then cut the round plate center into a half-circle and staple it to the band. Decorate as desired.

Copyright 2005 Kids Party Paradise All Rights Reserved

Patricia B. Jensen is a mother of three and kids party enthusiast. She is the webmaster and owner of Kids-Party-Paradise.com - a complete resource for kids party ideas including invitations, cakes, decorations, games, costumes, favors, and food.

For all the latest party news, read her Kids Party Blog.

How To Choose From Unlimited Baby Shower Games That Guaranteed To WOW Your Guests

What are you thinking about when you choose baby shower games?

Making cute baby things? Using baby products? Or even making guests act like a baby? I don’t know about you, but I can really make a lot fun out of virtually anything.

In fact, if you’re the same type of creative, this is the best part of your baby shower!

And this is also the most difficult part of baby shower planning - there are too many ideas flooding on the internet that you might have not idea how to get the most suitable one for you (and for the mom-to-be too).

No matter what kind of baby shower games you’re looking for, keep in mind who you are inviting to the baby shower.

If you’re throwing a coed baby shower, you should be very careful of the male guests’ feeling. For fun, here are two typical understanding of what men think of baby showers.

- “Crazy stuff. Like eating poo, playing sadistic games, talking about diaper genies.”

- “I’m pretty sure girls goo goo gaa gaa over all the baby gifts, talk about their own babies if they have one, and leave guys just sit on the couch and drink beer.”

So if you’ve already decided to invite guys to your baby shower, you’d better force them to have a good time.

A great idea is to have a MEN VS WOMEN baby shower scrapbook contest.

The object is to come up with the best scrapping pages. Well the trick of it all is the women are not really going to participate.

You just want to see what the men would come up with. You could have them go through about six or seven scrapbooks separately before they start actually putting their ideas together.

They will be very interested and the outcome will be great.

If you’re looking for some games for baby showers required guests to bring items to the baby shower, you’d better choose the right game before sending out invitations.

When you have no idea in choosing baby shower games, consider using a theme.

My experiences tell me that carrying your Shower theme into the planning will make choosing those games so much easier.

Still have no clue?

If your theme is all about a new baby’s tiny feet, besides decorating light blue, pink and white, you can surprise the mom-to-be with a baby foot casting kit from Everlasting treasures. And entertain your guests with fun baby feet games like Baby Are Made Of and New Baby Footprint and Handprint Advice. What if you’re planning a baby shower for the parents-to-be of twins?

You could have baby shower games for the twosies theme that includes the famous Noah’s Ark and Animal Babies Match. For fun, have all the guests bring two gifts, and have 2 of everything possible at the shower - from 2 small cakes (instead of one) to 2 winners of each game.

Here is the game salvation when you are pulling your hair out but can’t be satisfied with any game idea.

Karaoke! But you may have no idea how funny it is when you have guests sing for their dinner at a baby shower. Whether it’s a whole song, or just a few lines, make everyone participate by not letting them eat unless they sing. Everybody knows children’s lullabies, but you can also include songs with Baby in the title like ‘Achtung Baby’ by U2.

One final thought before you make the game decision is designating a Shower assistant (or a cost-hostess) to help you. Depending on how complicated the games you chose are, you may want an extra hand - after all, you need to enjoy the Shower too!

Note: If you find this article useful, you may reprint it on your website, e-zine, or in your newsletter as long as the credits and resource box remain in tact and the hyperlinks are active.

The Importance of Baby Sleep

All living creatures need sleep. Sleeping gives people and all living creatures the time for the body to recuperate and regenerate. Lion’s needs 16 to 18 hours of sleep, while primates, ten to twelve hours of sleep. Humans need on average six to eight hours sleep to rejuvenate. Human babies need a full eight hours of sleep and naps in between.

The body uses sleep as a way to regenerate cells and refresh the brain and overall aids in the development of our body, mind, and health. During our sleep, the human body can regenerate hair follicles, fingernails, toenails and even the outer covering of the skin. This happens because of the automatic pilot that is built into our bodies. People tend to think that the body only needs to recharge spent energy on the day’s work but in truth the body works the regeneration cycle much faster when the brain does not control much action.

Babies therefore need their sleeping time to develop muscles, limbs, and skeletal structure. In order to achieve a good night’s sleep for your baby, it is important that your baby have comfortable and inviting bedding. The secret to a good bed is one that feels just right. Beds that are to big may make your little one feel insecure. Your baby’s bed should be cozy and offer security for them to get a good night sleep. Selecting the proper bedding should also be a concern. The bedding should be easy to touch and feel cozy. Bedding that is to stiff or even to fluffy decreases your baby’s comfort level and therefore reduces his/her sleep time. We would want our babies to enjoy their beds and consider it a place of security.

Try to make your baby’s sleeping experience a pleasant one. Bedding should be inviting to the eye. There are so many wonderful patterns and fabrics on the market today that choosing the right bedding should not be to difficult. Remember that your baby needs enough rest to stimulate his/her growth and development and when this is achieved, your baby can reach his full potential.

For more information about baby sleep, visit Baby Sleep

The Baby Food Debate: The Benefits of Homemade Baby Food Over The Jars

Americans have long depended on jarred baby foods for convenient feeding. In the past few years more and more processed food options have entered the children’s food market. The big brands have expanded into pre-packaged “toddler meals” and “school lunches” all in the name of helping busy parents who need things to be fast and convenient. Even for those parents with the best effort and intention, there may be times when you just can’t make or safely pack your own food. One of my clients had served her eight-month-old homemade, organic baby food from his first bite. However while traveling with her son to England; she brought a few jars of food “just in case” she ran out of fresh items on the flight. Here are some tips for buying commercially jarred foods, when you’re in a pinch.

• Opt for those with the most calories, meaning more food per unit weight.

• Look for jars of organic foods, without fillers.

• Check that the expiration date on the jar has not passed.

• Choose foods without chemicals and preservatives.

• If feeding your baby a vegetarian diet, look for the Vegetarian Society’s “V” symbol on the jar or container, to be sure it is truly vegetarian.

Benefits of Homemade

Babies usually triple their weight during their first year. If they are what they eat, this is the most important time to give them the best. You may not be able to give your child fresh, homemade foods everyday, but here are the benefits for you and your child when you do make the effort.

More nutritious

Homemade food is more nutritious than commercially prepared baby foods because it retains more of the nutrients, especially vitamin A and B. This is because the food is less processed. The jarring process necessitates the use of very high heat under pressure. Much more than you can generate when cooking at home. Unfortunately, many vitamins are destroyed by heat.

Some of the baby food on the market has additives and thickening agents including cornstarch, flour, chemically modified starches or “tapioca” (corn syrup, starch). This means your baby is getting less fruit and vegetables and more “filler”. Consumers are also getting less nutrition and value for your money.

More Control

By making your own food, you’ll know exactly what your child is eating. You can monitor their diet, and know which vitamins and nutrients are lacking. A study by the San Francisco Chronicle in 2002, reported that over 40% of children’s calories come from fast and processed foods. Spend your time making your own food, rather than reading and de-coding labels on processed foods.

No Chemicals or Preservatives

Your food will not have anything added, that you didn’t put there. You’re not trying to preserve shelf life or disguise any of the ingredients in your food. Preservatives include partially hydrogenated oils or trans-fats, which are linked to diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

Taste

While sometimes convenient, a big drawback of commercial baby food is that it bears little relation to the real food. Fresh, seasonal food just tastes better. You probably haven’t eaten baby food since you were a baby – because you don’t want or have to. If feeding homemade baby food, your child will appreciate real foods from their first bite. These will be the flavors and food items that they will continue to enjoy as they grow. Jarred baby food is not available in every fruit and vegetable, nor is it seasonal. You may miss the opportunity to introduce fruit and vegetable options, which you want your baby to eat later with the rest of the family. Some children get used to bland, smooth, jarred foods and have difficulty being reintroduced to the same real foods and textures later.

Less Waste

Making food gives you control over quantity, taste, texture and expense. You will not have to throw away partially eaten jars of food. Instead you can cook what you know your baby will eat, prolong the life of your homemade food in the freezer, or eat your child’s food yourself.

Create variety from a single, whole food item. When making baked sweet potatoes you can chose to puree some, cut pieces into soft chunks, and leave the rest whole. Because your homemade purees are made with whole foods, the leftovers can be made into soups, side dishes and sauces for the rest of the family. You may doubt that because you’ve never considered making a delicious soup from a jar of baby food. However many favorite cream soups get their start from humble, fresh purees.

Less Cost

The cost for making your own baby food is often less than buying commercially prepared baby foods, if you shop smart and cook in larger quantities. For instance a four ounce jar of baby food ranges in price from .60 - $1.20 each, depending on brand and place purchased. However when making your own baby food, and following our tips for creating convenience and buying in-season whole foods you can save on the price. I purchased enough apples for an apple puree for $2 at the farmer’s market, and my recipe yielded 16 ounces, thus my cost is $.50 per four ounce serving.

Excerpt from The Petit Appetit Cookbook (Penguin March 2005) by Lisa Barnes.

Lisa Barnes is a cookbook author and the owner of Petit Appetit, a cooking service devoted to baby and toddlers. She teaches private and group cooking classes to parents in Northern California who want to provide their children with fresh, healthy, organic foods. Visit http://www.petitappetit.com
for more information and to sign-up for free newsletters.

Don’t Dress Your Premature Infant in Steel Wool

Premature birth rates are continuing to climb amidst efforts by several organizations and research to find the cause. The average gestation of full term pregnancy of 40 weeks has decreased to the average length of 39 weeks. As research marches on to find a cause and a method to control this phenomenon, we have a situation that can no longer be ignored.

The fact is there are over 9,600 preterm infants born every week in the United States alone. These tiny babies, some less than 16 ounces, struggle every day just to survive. Yet manufacturers of everyday clothing and accessories have refused to acknowledge the special needs these tiny miracles have. It could be a half a million children a year are not worthy of special manufacturing or it may be the consumer value is not high enough. Whatever these manufacturers reasoning’s are, there is only one manufacturer that has put preemies comfort ahead of profit margins.

As any parent of a premature infant will attest, it is next to impossible to find clothing that is sized for babies 3-6 pounds, tiny nipples for bottles in which they can suckle, diapers, pacifiers, on and on. Some manufacturers have labeled their clothing as Preemie yet when they are put on these tiny babies they are still too big. Why? Because the average 3-6 pound baby is 12 ½ inches from wrist to wrist and manufacturers make their clothing 17 inches from wrist to wrist. Parents are destined to roll, tuck, and fold these garments until their baby has grown into typical newborn clothing that can take months.

Alternatively, out of desperation, they resort to doll clothing. Some parents justify putting their babies in these clothes because it is the only clothing they can find that fits the baby. Unfortunately, parents are unaware of the pain they are unknowingly causing their child. Doll clothing is made from stiff cotton so that it retains its shape. Seams are stitched with nylon thread and are large and bulky. Take an outfit and rub it gently on the inside or your arm and you will feel the harshness.

Preemies skin is so rice paper thin you can see the blood veins. This is why their sensitivity is manifested. To understand why preemies are more sensitive to pain you need a little understanding of the makeup of skin. The skin is the largest organ in the body and is made up of three main layers. The Epidermis, the Dermis and the underlying Subcutaneous fatty tissue. Within these layers lie the blood vessels, nerves, sweat/oil glands and hair follicles. The Epidermis, or outer layer, is further divided into the; Stratum Corneum, Stratum Granulosum and Stratum Germinatium. The latter of these are at the junction of the Epidermis and Dermis and are where the renewal of the Basal Cells is carried out. These cells constantly divide and are called Keratinocytes. Simplistically, these can be thought of as analogous to the bricks in a wall, with the mortar between, made up of lipids (fat cells).

It is this barrier, which allows the retention of fluids within the Epidermal cells, which remain plump and prevent the introduction of microorganisms, chemicals and allergens. When intact, this imaginary wall regulates temperature, acts as a barrier to infection, balances water/electrolytes, stores fat and insulates against the cold. The skin is also a large tactile area, for the interpretation of stimuli.

The Stratum Corneum itself is made up of 10-20 microscopic layers in an adult and the full term infant. In premature infants however, this number drops to between 2-3 layers. In extremely premature infants, of less than 23 gestational weeks, this layer may be virtually non-existent. Consequently, the risk to these babies is even higher.

Babies are born with an alkaline skin surface, with an average pH of 6.34. However, within days, the pH falls to about 4.95 (acid). This also occurs in premature infants, although the process may take weeks rather than days to complete. This is known as the ‘Acid Mantle’ and is the skins protector. The development of this ‘Acid Mantle’ takes between 2 and 8 weeks, depending on gestational age, so it is even more important to avoid damage to the premature infant’s skin in their early weeks of life.

Damage to the baby’s skin is inevitable through medical treatments, tape used for keeping the cannula in place, and general care of the infant. Alleviating as much discomfort to these tiny babies is even more important. One way to accomplishes this is to dress the infant in clothing that is comfortable and accommodates their special needs.There is only one manufacturer that has designed a line of clothing specifically for preemies that addresses all their medical needs.

If you have a preemie, know someone who does, or medically assist these babies, consider the baby’s comfort next time you reach for newborn sized or doll clothing to dress them. A baby that is not in continuous pain will respond and thrive much better. If in doubt, wrap yourself in steel wool for a day!

Linda Dague is the owner is ANNA’S, LLC. She started ANNA’S to educate the public and new parents about the special needs of premature infants and provide an avenue to meet those needs. Visit her web site at http://www.annaspreemie.com for the best in premature infant clothing and accessories.

Baby Furniture For All Your Baby’s Needs

Baby furniture will bring a quality to the home that reminds everyone who enters just how precious life can be. Seeing the joy on the faces of the parents is almost as beautiful.

Parents and family spend so much money and time organizing children’s bedrooms,
infant nurseries and playrooms. Parents should get started on designing and
organizing the nursery well before their baby is born. Baby furniture is important to
help make both the parent and child feel comfortable in their living environment.

The opportunity to design a nursery is very special, and parents should not take it for
granted. The nursery is much more than just a room for the baby. It is an extension of
the love and support that the parents plan to provide for the child.

Baby furniture can be found in most large-scale retail stores or in specialty baby stores
across the country. Bright colors like yellow and red can be used to make the room
more inviting. Pastels are wonderful shades to use in a child’s room. Let your
imagination run wild when you wander through the aisles of your local retail store.

Parents will be happy with whatever they get because the simple fact that they are now
parents. The most important thing to remember when looking for furniture or toys for
your baby is safety. A knowledgeable parent is a better parent.

About The Author:

Roger King is a successful author and publisher of http://www.1st-home-decor.com
Baby furniture and ideas to showcase your homes.