BABIES THEN GROWN-UPS

Some of the most important items that new moms own are baby changing tables.

These items can make late night diaper changes a snap and they are very useful in helping moms stay organized as well. Today’s baby changing tables come in a variety of styles and colors and you are sure to find one that is perfect fro your child’s nursery.

The traditional baby changing tables look kind of like a very wide three-tier shelf set. You can find this style in white or wood tones or you can change the color to fit any nursery in little time at all. The construction is typically wooded and quite solid.

There are many more options available in these items than were offered years and years ago.

Today’s baby changing tables are offered in the traditional shelf style and they are also offered in a chest and changer combination. The combination versions of the baby changing tables look exactly like chest of drawers.

The strong, solid construction of these items makes them function like real furniture instead of like shelving. I love the look of the new solid baby changing tables and I like the idea of the baby being laid on a very strong surface. Sometimes the traditional baby changing tables are a little wobbly for my tastes.

The traditional and chest combination versions of the baby changing tables are both wonderful because they bring the infant to a nice height which is easier on the person who is changing the baby. You no longer have to lean in at an awkward angle while changing.

The storage capacity of either version is extremely important.

One little baby comes with a lot of stuff. Keeping things organized and within reach is crucial when you have a newborn. The last thing you want to do is try to find a lost set of baby wipes while your little one wiggles around with a full diaper halfway off. Baby changing tables help you keep everything within reach.

I know how difficult things can be without baby changing tables.

I neglected to add this item to my baby gift registry because I really didn’t think that I needed one. I tried changing the baby on the bed and this only led to tears and a new comforter. The floor was out of the question and after about a month with the new infant I sent my husband shopping. We just couldn’t function well without it.

It is simple, healthy and cost-efficient to make your baby’s food at home.

Homemade baby food allows you to control the ingredients. Whether fruit or vegetables, homemade baby food is easy to make, store and reheat. You can even make tasty combinations of fruits or vegetables that will increase the vitamin and nutrition content of your baby’s food once the baby has tried the fruit or vegetable by itself.

It is important that the first time a baby eats a food, it is not combined with another new food in order to watch for any allergies. If a baby ate two new foods mixed together and developed hives, the parent would not know which food was the cause.

All one needs to prepare baby food at home is a blender or food processor.

All one needs to store baby food in convenient portions is an ice cube tray. Cook vegetables the way you would normally, using only water for cooking liquid. The microwave or stovetop are equally fine. Make more than the baby will eat in one sitting, since you will be able to store the excess. Cook vegetables or firm fruits until soft enough to puree. Once soft, you may want to pour off some of the cooking water before you puree it. Homemade baby food should be the consistency of applesauce until your baby is old enough to eat more textured food. Puree the fruit or vegetable in the blender or food processor.

Making your own baby food lets the baby try vegetables that you won’t always find in the grocery store. Try zucchini, spinach, broccoli, squash, potatoes, and even cauliflower. Avocado is very healthy, and doesn’t need to be cooked first. Of course, standbys like carrots, peas, and yams are easy to make homemade also.

Not all fruits have to be cooked first, unless it is necessary to soften them.

Firmer fruits such as apples and pears should be peeled and cooked first. Melons, plums, mangoes, peaches, nectarines, bananas, and berries can be simply washed, sliced and pureed without cooking. Remember not to serve strawberries to babies until one year of age as they are a common allergen. Fruits do not need to be sweetened, and seldom need water.

Once the baby food is at the desired consistency, you can pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze. Once frozen, the cubes can be removed and stored in a Ziploc bag in the freezer. Label the bag so you remember what veggie it is. Individual cubes can be heated in the microwave whenever needed.

Everyone wants to announce the arrival of their new baby in a memorable and distinctive way.

The latest trend is to send baby photo announcements, which include one or several photos of the baby. There are several different types of these baby photo announcements, each of them unique in their own way.

One of the first types used, and is still very commonly used, is to simply include a printed 3x5 photo with a store bought card, hospital provided card or handmade card including the baby’s birth information.

People generally like these because they can keep the photo itself without having to necessarily keep the announcement. Because of the desire to keep a photo, the announcement and photo combination have evolved into companies offering baby photo announcements that include the baby’s photo and birth information imprinted on the card itself, making the card more custom and personal.

Companies have gotten more creative and are now even offering an option of including several different photos and the birth information arranged and printed on one 3x5 or 4x6 photo.

Creativity has no limits with these announcements, as families are now opting to include photos of the entire family, the new baby with older siblings, as well as photos of the baby’s tiny hands and feet. The family’s personal style can come through with these types of baby photo announcements, as there are now several companies offering hundreds of different layouts and color schemes to choose from. Aside from being beautiful, this type of baby photo announcement is very practical, as it meets the desire of wanting to keep a photo but not necessarily a card.

Not only are these baby photo announcements being used to announce the birth of a baby, but are also more recently being used for adoption announcements.

The idea still remains the same, but instead of birth information, the announcement includes the child’s name, the parents’ names, and when the child joined the family. The photo compilation option is very popular for this type of announcement, as they cater more to the family looking for something a little more untraditional.

Whatever style is chosen, baby photo announcements are definitely becoming more and more common and do not seem to be going away. Announcing the birth of a child or the welcoming of a child through adoption has never been more personal than now with the many baby photo announcement options available to new parents.

Planning a baby shower is not the easiest task on the face of the earth.

There are so many details to consider when organizing such an event that it is easy to become lost in the confusion. It is always a good idea to create lists and it is always a good idea to delegate responsibility when planning a baby shower.

One of the mistakes the organizer commonly makes is trying to do too much on her own.

Why run from store to store when you know that Cousin Sally works right next to a great discount store? She can run one or two errands for you. Include Cousin Sally when you are planning a baby shower. You will be surprised by how delighted she will be to help. If she isn’t, then there is really no loss. You just have to work around it.

Creating a sound list is the best starting point when planning a baby shower.

Never, ever rely on your memory when there is pen and paper handy at your fingertips. Your memory may be excellent but the list is always better. Planning a baby shower includes too much to try to keep your lists in your head. Write it down. It is very important.

You may be faced with an unusual dilemma that seems to be creeping up on many new couples.

More and more adult children are products of divorce. Many of these divorced families are still in turmoil even though many years have passed. When you are planning a baby shower make sure that you are perfectly clear on who to invite.

You also may want to let divorced parents know that the other party is invited.

I ran into a very ugly situation at my baby shower. Two dear friends teamed together in planning a baby shower for me. One friend invited my mother while the other friend invited my mother’s arch enemy; my stepmother.

I get along with both very well but when they faced each other in the same room, there was an ugly scene that will not be forgotten by anyone anytime soon. Unfortunately, you have to consider such rifts in families when planning a baby shower in this day and age.

Sometimes surprises should be left in the gift wrapped boxes rather than in the guest list.

It is a good idea to go over the guest list with the mother-to-be while planning a baby shower for her. This works out well. The guest list will be one less thing you have to remember.