v 3 issue 14: Ahoy Matie!

Ahoy Matie!

Ahoy, Matie! This issue is for those sea-loving tots who are in search for pirate treasures. Set sail with us to see our picks for hardy goods.

Cover by Julie Butler

Blow me down!

1. Avast ye! Your little mate will love eating with this pirate dinner set and placemat by Baby Cie. Not just a pirate set, but an educational lunch set as each of the words are written in French. How délicieux!
2. Ahoy, me hearties! These rainboots by Chooka aren’t just for rainy days. Made of rugged rubber with moisture absorbing cotton lining, these boots are made for many adventures.
3. Choose these soft-soled leather shoes by Cute Baby Shoes when looking to cover those cute little toes with pirate loot. Created with the finest quality cotton, leather and suede materials; Cute Baby Shoes are created to be not only stylish but comfortable.
4. These adorable socks by Sourpuss Clothing will be your little pirate’s favorites. Pair with a pirate outfit or just add a little spunk to any day clothing with these adorable socks.
5. Deck out your little Crankster with the Cranky Crossbones set by Brag about Baby. Set includes onesie, tie knot hat and booties. The hat and onesie are embellished with an adorable kid-friendly skull and crossbones and the back of the onesie is adorned with a treasure map.
6. For the pirate enthusiast the silk-screened wall canvas by Jeeto is a must have. Pair with the matching tee and your child will be saying, “Shiver me timbers!” The wall art is available in two sizes and are guaranteed to last for generations.
7. Pirates are always in search for treasure and parents are always looking for tricks to change their child’s behavior for the better. The Appreciation Station will help you accomplish your goals such as getting your child to do his chores without any hassle or getting them to bed without the stress. This ‘treasure chest’ uses positive reinforcement to reward your child for their good behavior. Your child will work with your to create their rewards then sit back and watch as your child strives to earn those rewards.


Halloween Safety
Make sure that your Halloween is Happy not haunting with these simple safety tips. The American Red Cross recommends the following safety tips this Halloween:
1. Ensure that your child's costume includes reflective tape and bright colors. If your child will be riding a bike or a scooter, or if you will be pushing a stroller, be sure to use reflective material for these as well. Carrying a flashlight is also a great idea.
2. Stay on the sidewalk whenever possible, and if there is no sidewalk, be sure to walk facing oncoming traffic. As always, look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at a corner or crosswalk.
3. Never cross the street between parked cars.
4. An adult should accompany children on Halloween, or, if your child is old enough to go alone with friends, be sure that your child plans his or her route ahead of time and shares it with you.
5. Because many Halloween costumes are highly flammable, be sure to stay away from candles and any other fire source.
6. Only visit homes that have their lights on, and have a porch or walkway light on.
7. When visiting a home, take your treats at the door, and NEVER go inside.
8. Be alert, and be cautious of animals and strangers.
9. Before eating any candy, your child should have an adult inspect it. Do not eat anything that is not wrapped, or that appears to have been opened. If there are younger children in your house, look out for smaller hard candies, or chewy candies that could be a choking hazard.
10. Have a Happy Halloween!

Thank you to the American Red Cross for providing these Halloween safety tips, Copyright 2007, all rights reserved. www.RedCross.org.


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Fall has hit us full force, and we're all getting ready for winter right around the corner. You know what we're talking about. Cold blistery days that make you want to stay inside, when the skies open up and dump 2 feet of snow and the last thing you want to think about is having to go outside. With the help of Tickle Tickle there's no reason for you and your baby to stay inside. We have just the things to keep baby warm and cuddly, and to make sure mama looks good during the cold winter months.



7 a.m. enfant has revolutionized the baby bunting – no more struggles with the snowsuit, and so cuddly and stylish that you'll want to climb right in there with them. The greatest feature is that the LS500 bunting can fit in your baby car seat and go from house to car to stroller without baby ever having to feel the cold against his sensitive skin.



Pedipeds are everywhere – and with good reason. They are endorsed by the American Podiatric Medical Association, which just means that they are really good for babies feet. Keep your baby looking cute and cozy in these boots, that will have all your friends asking you where you got them. Visit our website for dozens of styles.



Candeloos night lights are perfect for those early winter nights. They make great bedside sentinels to ward off the dark, or in make-believe adventures and dining room forts.




Tickle Tickle is the place to go to find all you need for baby – from Quinny strollers, to super-cuddly Baby Star blankets and bedding, babylegs, Mally bibs, Trumpette socks, Hooter Hiders/Bebe au Lait nursing covers, and many more things to pamper your baby (and don't forget the Glamourmom nursing tanks and Spanx to help make you feel your best!) – you can find everything you need at TickleTickle.com.

Born from the passion two mothers have for fabulous baby gear, Tickle Tickle is your best bet for all things baby. Visit our online store for sweet indulgences, perfect practicals, trendy toys and amazing gifts. Our specialty is choosing products that will make moms, dads and babies hip and happy.

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v 3 issue 13: Let's Communicate

Let's Communicate

Our current issue features products that teach you and your child different languages, as well as adorable tees that feature sign language, braille and adorable phrases from different cultures.

Cover by Connie Hill




Let's Communicate

1. The 'I love you' tee by Baby Fabulous is just that…fabulous. Their graphic toddler tees and baby onesies have ASL signs screenprinted on them. $20 at BabyFabulous.com.
2. Perfect for you and your kids, Earworms make learning languages easy and fun. Their CD’s put the words and phrases you need not just on the tip of your tongue, but deep in your long-term memory with catchy melodies composed of rhythmic repetitions. You can learn a language while you are driving in your car, working out at the gym or having a relaxing bath. We LOVE Earworms Rapid Language CD’s.

3. Make learning Spanish fun for your kids with the Kids Love Spanish! DVD series. Kids Love Spanish is a series of DVDs that teach children introductory Spanish. The series is designed for children ages 1-8+. Open up a whole new world for your child by introducing them to a new language with this series found at KidsLoveSpanish.com.

4. Your child will love getting Tessy & Tab magazine in the mail each month and you will love their excitement for reading. More than a magazine, Tessy & Tab Reading Club is a program for preschoolers that builds early reading skills. Arriving in the mail twice a month, the package includes useful parent tools and fun learning activities…subscribe for this excellent magazine and start your child on the path to love words early.

5. Il Cocco di Mamma signature tees are cuddly and cute. These soft cotton tees are printed with the most popular international sayings on them. Choose from Bella/Bello, Ciao!, Que Pasa?, C’est la Vie! and more. These worldly tees are also available in organic as well.

6. The adorable tees at Baby’s Language can help translate those adorable coo’s and ahh’s into adult language for those not skilled in baby talk. Baby’s Language combines colorful designs with word associations to create these cute tees. Each tee comes “ready to give”, wrapped in their clear box with ribbon.

7. Bitty Braille tees feature simple "kid-friendly" words set in Braille type in either sparkly faceted metal studs for the girls or simple metal studs for the boys. The translation is hand-embroidered underneath in a simple print or cursive. The concept of Bitty Braille is to introduce Braille to the young in addition to offering a unique, hip and trendy collection of tees. Customize with your trendy tots name for a special gift.


Our Interview with Priscilla Dunstan


We recently interviewed Priscilla Dunstan, the founder of Dunstan Baby Language. You may have seen her on Oprah or in magazines such as Redbook or Baby Talk. Ms. Dunstan’s ability to recognize patterns of baby’s sounds led her to identify how specific cries had a distinct need attached to them. She concluded that there are five initial sounds that every baby makes before he/she will begin to cry hysterically. We asked her about her family, business, and for some tips to other moms who want to start their own businesses.

What inspired you to start your business?
I was inspired by necessity. My son Tom had colic and reflux so cried all the time. I just couldn’t bear to see him in so much discomfort. I started studying his cries and eventually came up with a classification of infant cries and their meanings – The Dunstan baby language- which also seemed to help my friends. From there I went on to research and various other discoveries followed. All of my products and ideas come from a need either of my own child or from the mom’s that come to my clinic.

How do you manage juggling being mom/wife/entrepreneur?
Juggling is certainly the word! Like most single working Mom’s you have to prioritize. Tom is my first priority so his needs are placed in the diary first then my work commitments, then my very patient friends and family. Routine also helps for e.g. I do emails and international calls before Tom wakes in the morning, then do either consultations or research until I pick Tom up from school. Then it’s the usual mom stuff like soccer, swimming etc. Dinner is usually a social occasion with friends or family and I write or work on products after he’s asleep.

What is your greatest success professionally
My greatest success professionally is keeping up a great relationship with my son no matter how hard I’m working. Second would be, that something that I conceived at 3am on a difficult morning is now used world wide to help Moms and Dad’s. It’s wonderful when I sit in a café and over hear a parent mention one of the five words when dealing with their baby.

What has been your most difficult challenge?
Sudden growth is interesting. I have certainly learned how important having a great team around you is.

What is unique or special about your business that gives it an edge over your competitors?
My business products are based on need and not finance. I come up with a concept because I like to solve problems. I also think that being a Mom helps to give a different viewpoint, and having the ability to hear what others don’t, helps. It’s easy to understand babies when you can understand their language.

What is your favorite quote?
Success
To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

What did it take to get your business up and running?
I never aimed for a business, I just wanted to have as many people as possible to be able to get some sleep and be able to bond more easily with their baby. I also wanted to be able to continue researching other ideas, and that’s when my business was born.

What advice would you give a mom who wants to start her own business?
Do something that you are doing naturally, something you would do whether you got paid for it or not. Believe in yourself and keep going even when it gets hard, it is always darkest just before the dawn, and remember Mom’s can do anything!

How did you finance your company?
I have financed my business myself. I started small with holiday money and then just kept reinvesting back into the business.

Learn more about Priscilla Dunstan and the Dunstan Baby Language DVD’s at http://www.dunstanbaby.com/


This Week's Mom Tips

Cleaning Tip: Everyone's microwave could use a good cleaning, so we figured everyone could use a good microwave cleaning tip. Here it is: fill a bowl with equal parts vinegar and water, place in the microwave, and cook on high for 3 minutes. Wipe out the microwave and your done!

Green Tip: Try a recycled backpack from Earthpak. Made of 98% recycled goods, and made in the good ol' USA, these backpacks are eco-friendly and their bright colors and cool design make them kid-friendly too.

Financial Tip: Help your credit score, not to mention the environment by opting out of pre-screened offers and mail solicitations for credit. According to the Office of Financial Success at the University of Missouri-Columbia, there are two good ways to stop such offers:
(1) Go to www.OptOutPrescreen.com (or call 888-5-optout). These are the credit reporting agencies opt in/opt out resources which will stop the agencies from selling your information to direct marketers. You can opt out for a five-year
period of permanently. You can always opt back in if you miss the mail. If you use the website provided, you can fill out a very brief, simple form to opt out. It will then provide a screen with the information you provided that you will need to print out, sign, and mail to the address provided in order to permanently opt out. If you don’t do that last step (print and mail), it will opt
you out for the 5 year period instead.
(2) Add your name to the Direct Marketing Associations (DMA) Do Not Mail file – this process costs $1. You can also send a letter or postcard with your name, address and signature to: Mail Preference Service; Direct Marketing Association; PO Box 643; Carmel, NY 10512. The ‘mail method’ also costs $1 [+ postage]. Your name
stays on the list for 5 years, and you can re-register at the end of that period."

Parenting Tip: According to Practical Parent, there are seven parenting tactics that damage a child's self-esteem, and so should be avoided.
1. Bribes: children need to learn at an early age that they just have to do some things such as cleaning their room because they’re responsible family members, not because they’re paid to do it.
2. Threats. Why: we often let our children get away with things, so they soon learn that the first threat is meaningless because we don’t follow through on it. They then assume that other threats will be equally irrelevant.
3. Nagging: the nagging parent starts to assume responsibility for the child, who never learns to be responsible for their own actions - which is fundamental if their self-esteem is to grow. The truth is that if parents resist the urge to nag and do nothing, there will be a natural consequence of the child’s failure to act.
4. Criticizing: children need positive rather than negative recognition to enhance their self-esteem. A parent should constantly try to catch their child doing something right - and praise that.
5. Smacking: Most experts agree that smacking as a means of disciplining a child should be avoided. In the short-term it may be effective, but long-term it just builds resentment.
6. Passing the buck: Even a two-hour wait is an eternity for a child and by that time there’s no link between the already forgotten incident and the punishment.
7. Giving insincere praise: Don’t ever give false praise to a child - this is detected easily even by small children, and eventually they’ll lose trust in you.

v 3 issue 12: Boo To You!

Halloween is almost here and we have unveiled our finds to make this Halloween a treat. Be sure to read our article on putting together a spookily fun party.

Cover by Ashley McNamara

Boo to You




1. Pottery Barn Kids has rolled out their new costumes along with some of their previous best sellers. We simply adore this cow costume…it is udderly fun! Constructed of plush polyester, it will keep your little one warm and comfy. View the entire collection at PotteryBarnKids.com.
2. As equally stylish are the costumes at Babystyle. Their high-quality construction, soft and comfy fabrics and easy-on zippers make these costumes a favorite all year. We love their Rule the Rooster Costume with its bright, bold colors and fuzzy wings and tail. View their collection for infants through toddlers at Babystyle.com.
3. The String Doll Gang is handmade in Thailand using one continuous piece of string. These tiny little companions are perfect for a little Halloween décor (check out their Christmas collection for ornaments).
4. Emily Allyn created these adorable pumpkin tees make of premium quality combed cotton that is comfortable and durable. Emily Allyn creates sweatshop-free tees that are stylish, fun, humorous, and unique. Choose from adorable designs like peanut, monkey and sweet pea at EmilyAllyn.com.
5. This fun appliquéd Halloween tee by Liliputians NYC is simply adorable. The black tee is adorned with a fun face appliqué, orange top stitching on the shoulder seams and white lettuce edge ruffles on the sleeves and bottom edge (for girls tees only).
6. Tote and Tee has created this yummy tee with the word boo appliquéd with candy corn fabric. Choose from a black and white raglan shirt or a black short/long sleeve tee. Available for infants up to size 12 at toteandtee.com .
7. Celebrate Halloween with these Glow-in-the-Dark Halloween shoes. These adorable hand-painted shoes have ghosts on one side and pumpkins on the other. Exclusively at Tadpoles Shoes for Kids, $30.


This Week's Mom Tips

Cleaning Tip: Clean after a steamy bath or shower. The walls, fixtures, etc., will be much easier to clean because the steam will have loosened the dirt.
Green Tip: Programming your thermostat to reduce your home’s temperature by 5 degrees when you are asleep or away will reduce your heating bill and your impact on global warming. Wearing a sweater and turning down the heat while you are home will save even more energy. In fact, each degree below 68 will reduce the home heating bill by about 3 percent.
Time Saving Tip: Dread folding laundry? Sending out your laundry may not be as expensive as you think. Some will even pick up and deliver your laundry as well.
Financial Tip: Purchase your gasoline when it's the coolest temperature outside such as early morning or at night. Gas becomes denser in cooler temperatures. Gas pumps only measure the volume of fuel, not the density so you'll get better overall gas mileage for your money.

Easy, Spooky, Budget-Friendly Halloween Ideas for the Under 5 Crowd

What a delight! What a Fright! Today, Halloween is out of sight! Looking for ideas to bring the holiday alive for your kids this year? Check out these eerie, easy, budget-friendly ideas to make the party full of tricks and treats this year.


For your invitation, purchase mini pumpkins, and write the party details on the pumpkin itself and hand-deliver to your guests. Use spooky speak like Trick or Treat, But Don’t Smell My Feet, Come on Over and Party With Me!

Spooky Decorations
· Use construction paper to create ghosts, pumpkins, bats, spiders, and other creatures. Make half ghosts that peek out around corners.
· Blow up balloons, place material, such as a small white sheet over them, tie their necks with a string, and use a black marker for a ghostly face. Suspend the ghosts using a fishing line placed around the neck.
· An inexpensive spider web will go a long way in decorating any corner area of your home and/or front porch.

For The Ghoulish Menu
At your upcoming Monster Mash, don't forget to dress up the party table with festive goodies.
· Use Halloween cookie cutters to make a batch of sugar cookies.
· These cookie cutters can also be used to cut out spooky sandwiches as well. Fill the sandwiches with blackberry jam and cream cheese. Make sure to add chocolate chips for eyes!
· Serve all sorts of gummy candies, including worms and spiders. Throw these into a mix of popcorn and chocolate chips for a "Bugs in a Bowl" treat.
· Make a bowl of Jell-O. Before it sets, add in gummy worms, bugs, and fish for a swampy treat.
· Make Jack-O-Lanterns. Toast English muffins. Add orange food coloring to cream cheese to make a pumpkin spread. Spread on the English muffin and provide the kids with raisins to make pumpkin faces on them.

Halloween Activities for the Kids
· Play Pass the Pumpkin. The kids sit in a circle and pass small pumpkins and gourds to music. When the music stops, whoever isn’t holding a pumpkin is out!
· Play Pin the Wart on the Witch!

Enjoy a Halloween Treasure Hunt. Fill in the clues based on where you place them around your home.

Happy Halloween To You,
Get Your Glo-Sticks to Look For The Clues
Don’t Get Scared When the Ghosts Go Boo!!
Look Under ______ for Clue #2!!

Jump for Glee
When You Find Clue #3
Under the _____-
It Will Be!!

Are You Ready To Go,
Outside the Front Door,
Sitting On _____ is Clue #4

To The Back Yard We Go,
Under the ____,
Let’s All Look Alive
As We Find Clue #5

Clue #6 Is Under ______ In The Front Yard
Don’ t Worry About Finding It,
It Really Won’t Be Hard!
Are You Getting Tired Yet?

Clue #7 is Under _______
Be Careful When You Look,
So You Don’t Bonk Your Head!

Finally, you must find the treasure itself, but first you must pass through the witches and ghosts!

Halloween Goodies
For kids’ Halloween parties, a spooky favor is an absolute must!
· Halloween sugar cookies wrapped an orange cellophane bag and tied with a black satin ribbon
· Orange and black balloons
· Green slime
· Plastic spider rings
· Glo-Sticks


Lisa Kothari is the founder and president of Peppers and Pollywogs, a kids’ party planning company that provides parents with ideas, entertainers, and interesting web-based tools (customized rhymes and cards for your invitations!) to make kids’ party planning easy. She has recently written and published [b]Dear Peppers and Pollywogs…What Parents Want To Know About Planning Their Kids’ Parties[/b] which is available at Amazon.com and Peppers and Pollywogs.

v 3 issue 11: Mod Style

Mod Style

This issue is full of modern style for your tot including clothing, bedding, room decor and more. Bringing a modern flair to the nursery is easy with our modern makeover ideas.

Cover by Connie Hill

Mod Style


1. Modern style starts with the wardrobe and we simply adore this jacket by innies n outies. The London girls jacket is designed with a fabulous stripe on one side and reverses to a mod green. That’s two jackets in one! Shop the entire line of reversible duds at inniesnouties.com.
2. This step stool by Nest has a carry handle built into the base. This sturdy bent plywood stool is perfect for those hard to reach items in your child’s life. Nest offer products for kids that are modern, sustainable, and fun.
3. The modern changing table by UBI is stylish and makes changing diapers incredibly quick. With a fresh diaper ready for the next change, the UBI table is portable and easy, all with a modern flair.
4. Avalisa’s mission is to help others experience life more fully through color and design. With several collections to choose from, you will find the finishing touch for your modern nursery at Avalisa.com.
5. We adore these shiny black Mary Janes by See Kai Run. The black and white flower accent adds the perfect touch to these classic shoes. See Kai Run shoes are handcrafted from butter-soft sheepskin leather and have a flexible rubber sole along with padded collars for comfort. Shop SeeKaiRun.com for styles and to find a retailer.
6. The perfect addition for a modern playroom is the PLAYSPOT by Skip Hop. The soft floor surface will keep your child comfy and happy while complimenting your mod décor. There are several colors to choose from and its large size makes it a perfect play spot for your tot.
7. Urban Crawl offers crib bedding for the modern nursery. Their high-quality designs are geared toward design-savvy parents who want modern bedding styles that are non-baby. The three piece bedding set includes bumper, crib skirt and comforter. Shop UrbanCrawl.com for unique mod bedding for baby.


Mom Tips

Cleaning Tip: If you have scratched CDs or DVDs, try toothpaste or a banana! Watch this video so see how it works!
Green Tip: This green tip is simple, but the results are profound: take your name off of pre-approval and junk mail lists and save a few trees!
Financial Tip: If you have debt on which interest accrues, then remember this simple fact: The sooner you make a payment, the less interest you're going to pay. So, to save on interest, make payments every week or every other week rather than every month. You will pay off your debt sooner and pay less interest, all while paying the same amount every month.
Parenting Tip: A great reference for parents, a learning development chart can help you understand what your child is doing, experiencing and feeling. Remember that development charts are simply guidelines, and that your child's development may be different and yet still be very normal. Of course, if you have any concerns please be sure to discuss them with your pediatrician.

Modern Nursery Style

Want to create a mod nursery but don’t know where to start? Our tips will help you create a modern nursery that is simple, carefree, and perfect for your little modern boy or girl.

A modern nursery starts with the crib. Choose a crib that is made of natural woods, has clean lines and simple structure. We love the Oeuf Convertible Crib. This environmentally friendly crib is also high on safety with its fixed siderails and low center of gravity. This crib will grow with your child as it converts to a toddler bed for longer use.

Clean lines are the hallmark of modern design along with the basic need of form and function coming together. Choose a mellow wall color such as light pastels, grays, or browns as a backdrop for beautiful modern artwork with bright colors like that from Avalisa. Bedding should be ruffle free (no need for crib skirts!) and should include geometric shapes or patterns. You can also add a bright colored area rug to bring mod flair to the room.

Choose furniture pieces that serve multiple purposes (we love the changing table feature of the Oeuf crib) and will grown with your child (or can be used elsewhere in your home. A great example is the Nurseryworks Storytime Rocker for the nursery and as your child grows you can move it to the great room.

Cost can get in the way in designing the modern nursery of your dreams…we say pick one piece that you cant live without that is pricey and then add a few low priced basics. Ikea is a great place to shop for Modern finds like bedding and accessories. You can also use paint as your wall ‘art’ to cut down on costs…think oranges, bright red, yellows and lime greens.

Remember simplicity and serenity is key when creating a mod nursery…and most of all have fun!