Today's Headlines

>> Clay Aiken is going to be a dad...
>> Newlyweds Ashlee Simpson, Pete Wentz expecting baby...
>> No nude pose for pregnant Kidman...
>> Pregnant women should be careful of skin cancer...
>> Couple tries to sell baby on Craigslist...

Modern Day Mr. Moms

When a playgroup consisting solely of kids with their dads meets midweek in a public place, it’s usually regarded with some degree of curiosity.

“We were all at a playground and a woman came up to us and said, ‘Did I miss a holiday?’ ” recalls Ruben Koolman, who has been a member of Chicago Dads, a local social and networking group for stay-at-home dads (SAHDs), for two years.

Chicago Dads is run a little more loosely than most moms groups: The meeting time (10:30am–12:30pm), like the location, is more of an approximation than a specific. A playdate at the Museum of Science and Industry, for example, met “somewhere around the trains.”

This laid-back approach to the playdates—which have no agenda, no story time, no snack time, no obligatory anything—epitomizes the group (and probably the parenting styles of men versus women). It’s all voluntary, all free and all types of dads are welcome. “Some [of us] work full-time, part-time or work at home. Some are retired or are at-home dads,” says Cliff McIntosh, a member who returned to the workforce when his kids enrolled in school.

Check the database here for a registered dad group near you.

Eight Ways to be a Happier Mom

Ask a mom if she's happier now that she has a child, and she'll usually say yes. But psychologists who study happiness often report a different picture. Being the mom of a young child (especially one under 3) is rewarding, but also a real strain on your mood.

Here's the real eye-catcher in this story: Moms rate child care only slightly higher than housework on enjoyment scale.

Winner of BBA's First Blogiversary Contest

Congratulations to (drum roll, please...) THE BERGER FAMILY who is the winner of our first anniversary contest. They will receive the Jackaroos' bib and burp cloth in the turquoise damask pattern.

We had 92 comments on the BBA Blogiversary Contest post! We ran numbers 1-92 on the random sequence generator on random.org and #16 came out on top. Here are the results:

Our 16th comment came from The Berger Family. Congratulations!

Thanks to everyone who entered, and thanks again for a great first year!

-The BBA Team

Website Spotlight: Sittercity

Are you okay with finding a babysitter (or care for seniors, pets and your home) online? If so, Sittercity may be for you. It's as easy as paying a fee and punching in your zip code to tap into a database of caregivers who do everything from walk your dog, to water your plants, to tutor and put your children to bed.

The Chicago Sun-Times has a short write up about the seven-year-old website in today's edition.

Brushing Tips

Helpful hints for getting your toddler to brush and actually enjoy it: do it together, use an electronic toohbrush, brush in the bath tub and establish a reward system.

Blog Designer Spotlight: The Trendy Mommy

Looking to "add some spice to your blog"? Check out The Trendy Mommy Blog Design. You can choose from Jen's premade headers for just $8 or get a custom design, still at very reasonable rates.

For just $28, you can get a custom design that includes a custom header, coordinating background, signature, one sidebar & up to 4 category headers! And for just $5 more, add a second sidebar to the custom design.

Plus, installation of your blog design and color coordination of your blog text is included in every purchase.

See Jen's Portfolio to see if her trendy designs are right for your blog style. Then head over to her Order Info to see how to get started.

Disney Store Recalls

The Disney Store has recalled about 4,100 sleeping bags and 8,000 Tinker Bell wands because they contain paint that violates lead standards, according to two news releases from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: sleeping bags and wands.

Happy Blogiversary Week To Us CONTEST!

Our one year blogiversary for Baby Blog Addict was Monday. We may have missed the announcement earlier in the week, but we're posting now to extend the celebration!

Thanks to all of you baby blog addicts for making this such a successful and rewarding year! We love your interaction, feedback and ideas. Thanks so much for continuing to spread the word by linking to us too. "Word of blog" is such a powerful thing.

As of midnight on 5/27, **THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED** A WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON.

CONTEST: In honor of our one year blogiversary, we're giving away a bib and burp cloth from our online children's boutique, JackaroosBoutique.com. This turquoise dandy damask fabric is also available for dresses, loveys and blankets.

To enter our blogiversary contest, just leave a comment on this post by midnight (EST) on Tuesday, May 27th. Each comment will be assigned a number starting with 1. We'll plug the numbers into random.org to select a winner. Include your email address or a link to your blog, so we can let you know if you win. Or if you'd prefer to leave your pertinent info off the comment, just post a comment and send us an email letting us know which comment was yours, so we can give you a heads-up if you win. Follow that? Email us if you have questions. Winner will be announced next week. Good luck! *The information collected will be used for this contest only.

As of midnight on 5/27, **THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED** A WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON.

Blogging During Labor

The San Francisco Chronicle and The Poop, their baby blog, always have great articles about babies. Check out this one about the founder of Six Apart who blogged throughout her 32-hour labor. Not surprising since Six Apart is a new-media startup that runs the Vox, Movable Type and Typepad blogging platforms.

Did any of you blog during your labor? My husband made a post right before we left for the hospital and then again within a couple of hours of my son's birth. That was two and a half years ago. I have a feeling that he might have the computer in the room with us next time :)

Three-Year-Old Boy Sleeps For First Time

At three years old, Rhett Lamb was awake nearly 24 hours a day, and his condition baffled his parents and doctors for years. They took clock shifts watching his every sleep-deprived mood to determine what ailed the young boy.

Rhett's parents finally found out what was wrong with him. He was diagnosed with an extremely rare condition called chiari malformation. In order to relieve the pressure on Rhett's brain stem, doctors performed surgery last week that they hoped would allow him to sleep properly for the first time in his life.

And the results...The surgery appeared to have worked, Rhett’s father, David, said Thursday. "Last night, we didn’t wake up," David Lamb said. "It was amazing."

Thanks Mom Marrow Donor Drive

This is a last minute request!!!! I follow a couple of CaringBridge sites and through them, I have discovered the "Thanks Mom Marrow Donor Drive". TODAY is the LAST day to join the National Marrow Donor Program Registry for FREE, while funding remains. There is normally a $52 fee.

Here are the details:

Help the National Marrow Donor Program reach their goal of recruiting 46,000 members to the Registry during the Thanks Mom marrow donor drive. During Thanks Mom, May 5 - 19, you can join online for free, while funding remains.

It's easy to join:

Step 1. Confirm you meet basic donor guidelines.

Step 2. Complete the online registration form and order your tissue-typing kit. This step will take about 30 minutes. Please remember funding is limited. To join for free, you must complete the online registration step before May 20 or while funding remains.

Step 3. Use the kit to give a swab of cheek cells to test for your tissue type.

If you have ever joined the registry, you are still in the system. This drive was a reminder to me to update my information. I joined the registry back in college, but called to update my information today.

You are giving someone hope when you join the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Registry. Even if you miss this free drive, please consider paying the $52 to add yourself to the registry.

Minnie Mouse Clips

Check out these adorable Minnie Mouse Clips for babies and toddlers from Bitty Bows Boutique or as their tagline states, "REAL no slip clips for BALDIES thru toddlers".

Four mouse colors available: black, light pink, blue and red. The mouse measures approximately 1" across and the clips range from $7.99-$10.49 each depending on what size you select.

If you are buying these for a Disney trip, don't forget to add the Disney countdown ticker to your blog too!

Stroller Fan

I was at the park the other day and saw a mother pushing a stroller with this cool fan. She received it as a gift and called her friend on the spot to find out where she got it.

Check out the Pinwheel Fan at One Step Ahead for only $12.95. This would be great for summer, especially for outside parties, festivals and theme parks.

Try Out Free Trial Classes

Most summer camps require kids to be at least three years old to attend, but here are some other organized activities that you might want to consider signing your baby or toddler up for. These indoor activities are especially good during the heat of summer and the friendships you and your child make will probably last beyond the summer sessions.

Most of these offer a FREE trial class and who doesn't like free things? Sign up for a few different free trials, so you can test them out and see what's the best fit for you and your child. You'll also have a lot of fun participating in and potentially meeting new people in the free classes in the meantime.

Here are some to consider:

1. Gymboree Play and Music - 0-5 years of age; fitness, yoga, arts and music in seven program levels.
   
   
2. My Gym Children's Fitness Center - helps children six weeks to thirteen years of age develop physically, cognitively and emotionally.
   
   
3. Kindermusik - the world's leading publisher of music and movement curricula for parents and their children, ages newborn to 7 years old.
   
   
4. Gymnastics Center - check your local gymnastics centers for mommy and me type classes. If your toddler likes gymnastics enough, they may graduate to classes on their own.
   
   
5. Fitness Centers - If you have a family fitness center in your area, they may offer various mommy and me classes which are great way for your child to burn off energy indoors and for you to meet other parents. Many offer free trial classes too.
   
   
6. Churches - Some churches offer mommy and me programs. If your own church doesn't, look at other churches in the area for this type of program. Many of them don't require you to be a member of their church.

Let us know about any other national or local classes in the comments section here. You may be able to introduce other BBA readers to a free trial class that might turn into their favorite activity too!

Parents Board Flight, Forget Toddler At Airport

Tickets, check. Passports, check. Luggage, check. Baby ... oops.

A family boarded a flight on Monday in westernmost Canada, and forgot their tot at the Vancouver international airport, media said Tuesday.

Today's Headlines

>> Gene may be key to pregnancy complication, preeclampsia...
>> Beyonce and Jay-Z expecting first child?...
>> Halle Berry's post-pregnancy work-out regime revealed...

Website Spotlight: Popsqually & Company

Check out Popsqually & Company for some adorable designs for birth announcements, birthday party invitations and even calling cards. She's also running a FREE Stationery Giveaway for some adorable notecards and coordinating address labels. The contest ends this Saturday, May 17 and the drawing will be on Sunday.

And don't miss her refer-a-friend-program too where you can earn more free adorable stuff.

If you don't see what you are looking for, custom design service is also available.

Welcome All Blog-Hoppers

If you got to us through Mommy Fest, WELCOME! Our site, BabyBlogAddict.com, focuses on parenting tips, humor and baby news. It's a fun supplement for the parents who are up at all hours trying to keep up with their friends and the antics of their children on their growing list of favorite baby and family blogs.

Check out what we said in our first Baby Blog Addict post on May 19, 2007 (almost one year ago...hey, we may need to have our own BBA Party next week!) Here's a link to some fun blog addiction stories we've heard along the way. Feel free to send yours in to us too.

It's great to "meet" all of you!

Mommy Fest 2008

Wanna meet other moms in cyberspace (more blog-hopping) and win some great prizes too? Check out the 5th Annual MommyFest: Interactive Online Event for Moms. It runs from May 12-16, so check it out soon.

Dates: May 12-16, 2008
Venue: http://www.mommyfest.com
What to expect: Contests, Giveaways, Workshops for Moms and Lots of FUN - Get ready to meet other moms and make new friends!

Emily, Jacob Top Baby Names in 2007

The boys' top 10: Jacob, Michael, Joshua, Matthew, Ethan, Daniel, Christopher, Anthony, William and Andrew.

The girls' top 10: Emily, Isabella, Emma, Ava, Madison, Sophia, Olivia, Abigail, Hannah and Elizabeth.

Read the full article here.

Happy Mother's Day! Woman Expecting 18th

You think your house is full? Do you wish you had that one extra room to hide some stuff away? Be glad you're not this couple in Little Rock, Ark. Just in time for Mother's Day, 41-year-old Michelle Duggar, found out she was pregnant with her 18th child. The latest addition will join seven sisters and 10 brothers.

Says Duggar: "We've had three in January, three in December. Those two months are a busy time for us." The Duggars' oldest child, Josh, is 20, and the youngest, Jennifer, is nine months old.

Look for the family soon in another series on Discovery Health.

Mom Bloggers on Today

Check out this TODAY show segment about the growing popularity of Mom Bloggers.

You'll see Kristen Chase from motherhooduncensored.net, Mir Kamin from wouldashoulda.com and Jill Asher from svmoms.com. The story is followed by Heather Armstrong referred to as "the goddess of mommy bloggers," of Dooce.com, which she started in 2001!

20% off at Stride Rite

It's the first ever Friends and Family event and you're invited! Stride Rite is offering 20% off regular priced merchandise and 10% off sale merchandise in-store only for four days...Thursday, May 8 - Sunday, May 11. Here's a link to the printable coupon.

I guess they are trying to give us mothers a break just in time for Mother's Day! Just don't try to use it online, at their outlet store or at other stores that sell Stride Rite. It's only valid at participating Stride Rite stores.

(Thanks to MommiesWithStyle for the heads-up.)

Website Spotlight: Chulamama

Chulamama is offering Baby Blog Addict readers 10% off purchases from the online store - Chulamama, Maternity and Baby. Just use coupon code: babyblogaddict.

Check out this adorable camera shirt by Egg & Avocado (available in 3 months and 6 months sizes). This would be perfect for the baby of paparazzi parents who always have a camera handy (I'm guilty as I'm sure many of you baby blog addicts are too!)

For a versatile maternity outfit, don't miss the Jessica Scott organic cape, skirt and dress all-in-one in watermelon, lime, licorice or chocolate.

Wanted: Creative Summer Fun Ideas

We want your ideas for a list we'll publish soon. Whether it's a Slip 'N Slide in the front yard or a fun game you invented, e-mail the ideas to babyblogaddict@yahoo.com and include pictures if you'd like.

Blogger's Latest Feature is a Scheduler's Dream

Wanna keep your blog updated daily while you are on a vacation to a deserted island with no internet access??? Now you can with Blogger's latest feature of Scheduled Post Publishing.

We sometimes write posts in advance for our personal blog and save them to post throughout the week (so the grandparents don't have withdrawals), but in the past, we still had to log in and publish those pre-written posts each day so they would post to our blog. Now, we can write posts in advance and schedule the date and time in the future for each of them to post to our blog!

Here's how Blogger explains their new feature:

Scheduling a post is easy to do: on the post editor page, click the “Post Options” toggle to show the “Post date and time” fields. Then, type a post date and time that’s in the future. When you click the “Publish” button, your post will become “scheduled.” When the date and time of the post arrive, it will be automatically published to your blog.

For more details, check out Blogger's announcement today in Blogger Buzz: "Blogger now schedules future-dated posts."