Wednesday, May 15, 2013
"Vacation". Just the word sends us into a dreamland of
sun, sand, and fruity umbrella drinks. Or maybe it's mountains and a crackling
fire. Either way, the key thing to remember is that a vacation equals a
stress-meter set firmly to zero. Family vacations are a great way to spend
quality time together, but you'll be lost from the start without proper
planning. Here are five must-follow tips on how to make your next family
vacation a slam-dunk through proper preparation.
1. Advance Accommodations
Moms wear just about every hat imaginable, so it's no surprise
that almost nothing feels quite as good as the first night of freedom in a
great hotel. You won't ever get there, though, if you don't do some advance
scouting and prep-work. To that end, make sure that your crash-pad of choice is
truly as family-friendly as it can be. Check for things like great room service
to save you from the morning round-up of the kids, a nursery so the adults can
have some time alone, and an in-room fridge for bottle or snack storage. If
you’re looking for the whole package, look into resort options. When my family
traveled to the breathtaking Hawaiian Islands, we were able to stay at a top Honolulu hotel geared to
families. There are resorts for everything from skiing to sun bathing in the
tropics with entertainment and accommodations for every age imaginable.
2. Kid-Adapted Flight Planning
Family vacations are great, but you'll need to be smart if you
want to get things off the ground with your sanity intact. You should do
everything in your power to book an early flight. The later a flight, the more
chances for delays, which means stress and grumpy family members. If you are
delayed, try playing a game or popping in a movie to keep the little ones busy
- a soda or chocolate might sound like a good idea now, but when the caffeine
kicks in, you'll wish you hadn't gone there.
3. "The List"
This one's simple: The more stuff you can do ahead of time, the
better. Make a list of things to pack and errands to run pre-vacation. Things
like mail-forwarding or stoppage, pet-sitting arrangements, and so on are good
things to jot down. If you’re traveling during the school year, make sure to inform
your child’s teachers and get all homework done prior to departure. Making your
child sit inside and complete math problems at Disney World will be miserable
for both of you. If you can’t live without your smart phone, keep your vacation
preparation digital with a packing app such as Packing
Pro.
4. Bargaineering
Use deal sites, reward points, credit card deals, and club
memberships to save money, snag perks, and generally make your next family
vacation the best it can be. Look into credit cards that offer flight discounts
or hotels that offer discounts for AAA members. Take advantage of them when you
can. After all, that's what they're for!
5. Be Consistent
Kids - and adults too, sometimes! - are creatures of habit. Do
your best to minimize
disruption to your normal routine. Snack time, nap time, and other regular
milestones are important – try not to neglect them! But if the dolphin show is
stuck in the middle of a feeding period or your hard-to-come-by dinner
reservation cuts into bedtime, don’t simply cancel. Combine consistency with
flexibility by bringing easy snacks and comfy blankets. Do your best and keep
your cool; this will set a relaxed tone and hopefully discourage cranky little
ones.
There are lots of things
that go into planning and executing a dynamite vacation, but with the above
tips, you should be well on your way to a fun-filled, stress-free break from
the nine-to-five of life. Have fun!
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Did you find out if you were having a boy or a girl beforehand? Did you want to get the nursery ready with themes, or could you not wait to be surprised? Even with today's technology, some people prefer not to know the sex of their child before he or she enters the world. It is kind of fun to hear old theories of whether a woman was carrying a girl or a boy, based on cravings, the shape of the belly, etc.
If you or someone you know is finding out the sex of the baby, and has a name picked out already, wow them (or yourself) with a personalized gift.
We have a few new personalized items to choose from: the Personalized Puppy Love Moses Basket for boys, the Personalized Lamby Love Moses Basket for girls, and Mickey and Minnie Mouse personalized security blankets. These are all featured on our New Products page.
If you or someone you know is finding out the sex of the baby, and has a name picked out already, wow them (or yourself) with a personalized gift.
We have a few new personalized items to choose from: the Personalized Puppy Love Moses Basket for boys, the Personalized Lamby Love Moses Basket for girls, and Mickey and Minnie Mouse personalized security blankets. These are all featured on our New Products page.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Tot-Bot Baby Gifts is very excited to be able to offer a
limited edition fine art color (or black & white) print of the Cinderella
Castle. Based on Walt Disney World’s ‘Cinderella Castle,’ these prints from
Steel City Artist Illustrations & Digital Fine Art were created using pen
& ink and pastel chalk. Artist Charles Ott even donated some free prints to
Childrens Hospital in Pittsburgh. What a generous, talented artist!
Check them out on the Tot-Bot website at: http://tot-bot.com/item_1039/Cinderella-Princess-Castle-Limited-Edition-Color-Prints.htm
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Enjoy this post from our guest blogger, Katie Moore, full-time mom and part-time blogger.
Life
will change the moment your baby is born, especially when you bring your baby
home from the hospital. The change is a good one, though, and soon you and your
new bundle of joy will have adjusted to your new routine – together. You’ll
work out feeding and nap times, and soon it will be almost impossible to
remember a time when your new baby was not a part of your life.
After
you have prepared for all of your delivery options, like pain management, cord
blood banking, and immunizations, you need to prepare for your everyday tasks
with your baby at home—being prepared to for feeding times is one of the most
important aspects of being a mom.
Breastfeeding
If you have decided to breastfeed your baby, your baby will be receiving many natural benefits through your breast milk—many antibodies help prevent infections that can cause ear infections, respiratory infections, and meningitis. You will find your breastfeeding time to be one of intimate, happy bonding with your baby as well. If you are struggling with breastfeeding, consult a lactation specialist or your doctor. Some women aren’t able to breastfeed for many different reasons and need to seek other feeding options.
Bottle Feeding
No mother who bottle-feeds should feel less than one who breastfeeds. Bonding and closeness during bottle-feeding times are just as beneficial as those same times during breastfeeding. Your attitude is everything, and your baby's feelings of wellbeing will be a product of that. Many formulas also provide many of the same benefits as breast milk, so there is no need to worry that your baby is not getting the right nutrition.
Feeding Times
Most breastfed babies need to nurse every one and one-half hours, and bottle-feeding babies should nurse every two to three hours in the beginning. Some mothers prefer to put their babies on a regular feeding schedule. It is usually easier though to feed your baby on demand. A baby can set his or her own feeding schedule, and both a mother and her baby will adjust to this very quickly.
Naptime
In the beginning, babies will want to sleep after eating. Most newborns sleep from 15 to 17 hours per day, waking up every two to four hours. Your baby's brain is still developing, and a baby's time spent in rapid-eye-movement or REM sleep is necessary for the extraordinary amount of brain development.
When your baby takes a nap, you should try to take one yourself. Getting a few minutes of sleep at various times during the day will refresh you and give you the mental clarity and energy you need to keep up with your growing baby.
Housework
Most new moms feel like they need to pick up their regular housekeeping schedule as soon as they bring their baby home from the hospital. But this is an unrealistic expectation for new mom. Don't worry about organizing drawers and cleaning out closets. You will benefit more from sleep than from organization!
As long as the dishes are loaded in the dishwasher and the house is relatively uncluttered, you are meeting your goal. Save the deep cleaning for later. Care for baby's needs and your needs first—every day your newborn baby will do something new, whether it is looking at his or her hand or cooing in a special way and you’ll enjoy watching your healthy baby develop.
Breastfeeding
If you have decided to breastfeed your baby, your baby will be receiving many natural benefits through your breast milk—many antibodies help prevent infections that can cause ear infections, respiratory infections, and meningitis. You will find your breastfeeding time to be one of intimate, happy bonding with your baby as well. If you are struggling with breastfeeding, consult a lactation specialist or your doctor. Some women aren’t able to breastfeed for many different reasons and need to seek other feeding options.
Bottle Feeding
No mother who bottle-feeds should feel less than one who breastfeeds. Bonding and closeness during bottle-feeding times are just as beneficial as those same times during breastfeeding. Your attitude is everything, and your baby's feelings of wellbeing will be a product of that. Many formulas also provide many of the same benefits as breast milk, so there is no need to worry that your baby is not getting the right nutrition.
Feeding Times
Most breastfed babies need to nurse every one and one-half hours, and bottle-feeding babies should nurse every two to three hours in the beginning. Some mothers prefer to put their babies on a regular feeding schedule. It is usually easier though to feed your baby on demand. A baby can set his or her own feeding schedule, and both a mother and her baby will adjust to this very quickly.
Naptime
In the beginning, babies will want to sleep after eating. Most newborns sleep from 15 to 17 hours per day, waking up every two to four hours. Your baby's brain is still developing, and a baby's time spent in rapid-eye-movement or REM sleep is necessary for the extraordinary amount of brain development.
When your baby takes a nap, you should try to take one yourself. Getting a few minutes of sleep at various times during the day will refresh you and give you the mental clarity and energy you need to keep up with your growing baby.
Housework
Most new moms feel like they need to pick up their regular housekeeping schedule as soon as they bring their baby home from the hospital. But this is an unrealistic expectation for new mom. Don't worry about organizing drawers and cleaning out closets. You will benefit more from sleep than from organization!
As long as the dishes are loaded in the dishwasher and the house is relatively uncluttered, you are meeting your goal. Save the deep cleaning for later. Care for baby's needs and your needs first—every day your newborn baby will do something new, whether it is looking at his or her hand or cooing in a special way and you’ll enjoy watching your healthy baby develop.
Katie Moore has
written and submitted this article. Katie is an active blogger who discusses
the topics of, motherhood, children, fitness, health and all other things
Mommy. She enjoys writing, blogging, and meeting new people! To connect with
Katie contact her via her blog, Moore
From Katie or her twitter, @moorekm26.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Every year it seems fall flies by and the holiday season is suddenly upon us.
Thankfully, we have plenty of ways to celebrate the fun of the season.
There's just enough time to order an adorable, personalized Thanksgiving plate. Put your precious one's name on it and use it for holiday treats later this month.
For December, check out our plates for cookies for Santa, signed with your little ones' names. This is a great keepsake item to be treasured for years to come. Our snowman ornaments can be personalized as well; there are also reindeer ornaments to choose from.
We also carry a ton of gift baskets, many of which can be personalized. If you are expecting this holiday season, or know someone who is, this may be just the treat.
Whatever you do this holiday season, may it be a blessed time full of happiness, health and good memories in the making.
Cheers!
Thankfully, we have plenty of ways to celebrate the fun of the season.
There's just enough time to order an adorable, personalized Thanksgiving plate. Put your precious one's name on it and use it for holiday treats later this month.
For December, check out our plates for cookies for Santa, signed with your little ones' names. This is a great keepsake item to be treasured for years to come. Our snowman ornaments can be personalized as well; there are also reindeer ornaments to choose from.
We also carry a ton of gift baskets, many of which can be personalized. If you are expecting this holiday season, or know someone who is, this may be just the treat.
Whatever you do this holiday season, may it be a blessed time full of happiness, health and good memories in the making.
Cheers!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Where were you in 1984? I was a teenager, just turning 13, dealing with all of the fun, crazy, confusing aspects of learning to be yourself amidst various pressures from friends and family. Thankfully, the thought of pregnancy at that time was about as foreign to me as taking a trip to the moon.
Fast forward to 2005. My husband and I were ecstatic to confirm the news that I was pregnant, expecting our first child. Before we knew the sex of the baby, we referred to him/her as Baby 167 - about how many heart beats per minute he (yes, it was a boy) had at those first prenatal visits.
The pregnancy guide that hit the shelves in 1984 became not only a bestseller but one of USA Today's 25 Most Influential Books of the Past 25 Years. And I, along with countless other women over so many decades, rushed out to get a copy seven years ago. Of course I am talking about What to Expect When You're Expecting. I sent my much-worn copy to my best friend in Canada when she became pregnant; I had moved on to What to Expect the First Year.
During pregnancy in particular, everything is new. All of the changes to your body are unchartered territory, and sometimes you aren't sure what's normal. And of course as the weeks and months go by, you wonder where your baby is developmentally. This book offers an amazingly comprehensive description of what to expect when you are pregnant, answering all kinds of questions you may have about the changes you are undergoing. The drawings of the fetus, then baby, offer a glimpse into the truly amazing phenomenon of life. It is rightfully the bible of pregnancy for women throughout North America.
At Tot-Bot Baby Gifts, I am so excited to be offering a free giveaway of What to Expect When You're Expecting. Or, the lucky winner may also choose between a copy of either What to Expect the First Year or What to Expect the Second Year. Here's what you have to do:
Follow the Tot-Bot Baby Gifts blog publicly.
Leave a comment explaining which of the What to Expect books you would most want. (What to Expect When You're Expecting, What to Expect the First Year, What to Expect the Second Year). Include your email address.
Like Tot-Bot Baby Gifts on Facebook.
You can enter this contest for yourself or on behalf of someone you know who is pregnant (or has a toddler) who would love to receive a copy of one of these incredible books.
Check out the What to Expect site while you are at it.
Good luck and I look forward to hearing from you!
Fast forward to 2005. My husband and I were ecstatic to confirm the news that I was pregnant, expecting our first child. Before we knew the sex of the baby, we referred to him/her as Baby 167 - about how many heart beats per minute he (yes, it was a boy) had at those first prenatal visits.
The pregnancy guide that hit the shelves in 1984 became not only a bestseller but one of USA Today's 25 Most Influential Books of the Past 25 Years. And I, along with countless other women over so many decades, rushed out to get a copy seven years ago. Of course I am talking about What to Expect When You're Expecting. I sent my much-worn copy to my best friend in Canada when she became pregnant; I had moved on to What to Expect the First Year.
During pregnancy in particular, everything is new. All of the changes to your body are unchartered territory, and sometimes you aren't sure what's normal. And of course as the weeks and months go by, you wonder where your baby is developmentally. This book offers an amazingly comprehensive description of what to expect when you are pregnant, answering all kinds of questions you may have about the changes you are undergoing. The drawings of the fetus, then baby, offer a glimpse into the truly amazing phenomenon of life. It is rightfully the bible of pregnancy for women throughout North America.
At Tot-Bot Baby Gifts, I am so excited to be offering a free giveaway of What to Expect When You're Expecting. Or, the lucky winner may also choose between a copy of either What to Expect the First Year or What to Expect the Second Year. Here's what you have to do:
Follow the Tot-Bot Baby Gifts blog publicly.
Leave a comment explaining which of the What to Expect books you would most want. (What to Expect When You're Expecting, What to Expect the First Year, What to Expect the Second Year). Include your email address.
Like Tot-Bot Baby Gifts on Facebook.
You can enter this contest for yourself or on behalf of someone you know who is pregnant (or has a toddler) who would love to receive a copy of one of these incredible books.
Check out the What to Expect site while you are at it.
Good luck and I look forward to hearing from you!
Monday, July 30, 2012
It has been a great, relaxing summer. I'm hoping for one more visit to the beach before school starts. First grade for our son, first year of preschool for our daughter. A lot of adjustments in store.
Speaking of adjustments, being a first time parent is quite an adjustment. No amount of reading up on it can quite prepare you for the sheer exhaustion, or joy, of it.
If you know an expectant dad, consider some Daddy Scrubs as a gift. On our site, each order of these great, comfy outfits (ideal for the delivery room, and then as pajamas once baby is home) placed in the month of August will come with a free Daddy Scrubs tote bag. It's our way of saying thanks to all the wonderful fathers out there.
Happy end of summer!!
Speaking of adjustments, being a first time parent is quite an adjustment. No amount of reading up on it can quite prepare you for the sheer exhaustion, or joy, of it.
If you know an expectant dad, consider some Daddy Scrubs as a gift. On our site, each order of these great, comfy outfits (ideal for the delivery room, and then as pajamas once baby is home) placed in the month of August will come with a free Daddy Scrubs tote bag. It's our way of saying thanks to all the wonderful fathers out there.
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