From the category archives:

Month 1

Timestamp a monthly baby photo

February 26, 2010

How cute is this series of photos from Hey Jen Renee? She created a printout for each month of her daughter’s first year and took a photo of her baby girl “holding” it. At the end of the year, she printed the twelve photos and placed them in an accordion fold-style photo album so that [...]

Parenting trends: muslin swaddling blankets

February 8, 2010

When I first heard of muslin swaddling blankets, my children were already 2 and 5. And this was just last week. It hurt me to say, “Back when I had babies… ” But I did. Well, anyhow, apparently muslin is they way to go these days. When Heather asked our readers via Twitter if they [...]

Convert a regular bra to a nursing bra

January 4, 2010

Smart tip from a reader! Leah from Brooklyn, NY says that her local nursing bra store will convert any bra into a nursing bra. It’s a small local store called ‘Your Top Priority‘ . If you buy the bra there its $5.00; if you bring in from elsewhere its $6.50. Leah says that she shops [...]

Activity #38: Start a baby book

September 15, 2009

The song “Hey-Ya” by Outkast was so popular in 2004 when I became a Rookie Mom that I decided it should be documented in the baby book. Is that weird? I wrote “Popular song is Hey-ya by Outkast.” I figure Julian will download it someday and laugh. I also think it’s babybook-worthy that going to [...]

Activity #586: Convert a t-shirt into a newborn gown

July 27, 2009

This naptime sewing project was brought to you by This Mama Makes Stuff. Carrie, who used to design clothing for Old Navy, provides this disclaimer: I got Cs in pattern-making class in college. Um, Carrie? Most of us did not even know pattern making was offered in college, so no need to apologize. We appreciate [...]

Activity #355: Create an easy time capsule

March 18, 2009

Fellow parents of newborns, here’s a super easy way to make a time capsule that your child will love (some day): Buy disposable camera Take lots of pictures around hospital, home, baby, car, and your life as it is in general Write your name, address, phone, email, today’s date, and the words “Photo Time Capsule! [...]

Activity #46: Take a shower

December 8, 2008

In honor of my friend Vasco, who just had his first baby boy Milo over the weekend, I offer one of my favorite tips/activities. Try out the bouncy seat or swing and bring the baby into the bathroom with you for a quick shower. Leave the door ajar if steam is a problem. If your [...]

Survive breastfeeding

July 14, 2008

This weekend, I’ll be gone two full days during most of Scarlett’s waking hours. I was really hoping not to pump during this time, thinking “Pumping is for people with newborns,” but Heather has made it clear that she doesn’t want me turning to her at 4 pm, in the middle of a great bloggity [...]

Take pictures to show growth

May 27, 2008

In my house, we think it is great to take pictures in the same chair each month (or each week!) to really see the baby grow before our eyes. We got in the habit of dressing Holden up and propping him in the big yellow chair. Now that he’s bigger, our challenge is not to [...]

Activity #26: Get butt naked

March 25, 2008

First, my apologies to any pervy googlers. Next, the activity: At least for a little while each day, allow baby to have some time naked, unencumbered by the shackles of a diaper. Just think, this is how your kid lived inside you, just last month in fact. You may want to put an underpad (chux [...]

Activity #23: Drink beer

March 6, 2008

I was never much of a beer girl in my twenties. Blech, I thought. And then I got pregnant (with boys if that matters) and sipped a little iron-rich Guinness on St. Patrick’s Day and changed my mind to YUMMMM! Guinness is still my beer of choice. In fact, my mom was kind enough to [...]

Activity #61: Count your friends

February 14, 2008

Whitney called me yesterday for advice about Scarlett’s nap and potential childcare arrangement and what to do about disrupting her sleeping mojo. I made up an answer and recalled how Milo got a funky nap schedule when he started “school” at 7 months old. If she liked what I said, she probably felt good about [...]

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →