By Diana Stacey
BBA Contributor
We found these fun letters and numbers at Target last year and if you don't have them you should get them! They stick on the wall and it's pretty fun for any kid. Sydney likes to suck on them and Davis loves to spell words. Davis LOVES to take a bath and he loves his alphabet. So what's not to love when you add the two together and do both!
Send us your blog posts and video clips. Click here to find out how.
Good Housekeeping has revealed the winners of its first Best Toy Awards. The editors looked at hundreds of playthings for ages 3 to 14, evaluated 51 favorites, and then let dozens of kids loose to play and choose their top picks. The result: 14 safe, creative, and fun finds.
By Marisa Lufkin
BBA Contributor
Girl delivers baby. Guy calls every friend and family member to announce the news. Pretty typical. But in this technologically advanced age where your coffee maker automatically brews your morning cup of joe and your car can parallel park itself, why not have a computer announce the arrival of your bundle of joy?
It might seem absurd. At first glance, I thought it was too. When I came out of my post c-section, drug-induced fog, I wondered where my husband was and why he wasn't waiting for me in the hospital room. He wasn't with me because he was dialing the phone, announcing the good news and repeating ad nauseam. In fact, he was so tired of talking, he barely uttered two words to me when he arrived. Add to that, we were shocked to hear that a few friends and family members were hurt when they weren't the "first to know."
Interested in a service that can do this job for you? Enter Snappy. With packages starting at $9.99, your hubby can record his own message which is then forwarded to up to 20 phone numbers. Included in the package is a keepsake CD with your announcement set to music plus and an email of your recording that can forward to friends and family members.
The pony express replaced carrier pigeons. Phone calls replaced telegrams. Who could have predicted that pre-recorded messages and e-blasts would be next. Not me!
Send us your blog posts and video clips. Click here to find out how.
Congratulations to Leah Beth (comment #10) who is the winner of our giveaway of 40 cards from Peek-a-boo Paperie...just in time for the holidays! I'll send you an email to let you know how to get your free cards.
If you didn't win, you should still check out Peek-a-boo Paperie. They have some adorable and very original designs for Holiday cards and Birth Announcements too.
For starters, there’s iTeddy, a teddy bear with a built-in video player. It can also be used to view pictures and is, of course, huggable. Creepily, you have to pull up iTeddy’s shirt to see the video screen, which will teach kids that taking off their friends’ shirts can only result in fun times. The price? $79.99 at Target.
A Kentucky toddler has recovered completely after having a key lodged into his eye. Nicholas Holderman was just 17 months old on Sept. 2 when he fell onto a key to his parents' car. The key pierced his eyelid and went through his eye into his brain.
Holderman's story was featured this morning on the Today Show.
Ashlee Simpson's husband, Pete Wentz, tries to explain the thinking behind the name of their newborn, Bronx Mowgli.
2 chix offers a fresh and fun selection of maternity clothing that is hip, trendy and funny. Check out the "Pregzilla" tee below and the Daddy tee below right - "Changing The World...One Diaper at a Time".
Do you have any pregnant friends or family members to buy Christmas gifts for? 2 chix is offering all Baby Blog Addict readers 20% off through December 31, 2008. Just use the code: bbaddict20.
Ever think about your child suffocating on an outlet cover? That was almost a terrible reality for George Decell. A few years ago his daughter found a standard-sized outlet safety plug on the edge of the table.
"She put the device into her mouth, it lodged in her throat and she nearly suffocated," Decell told BBA in an e-mail. "I invented SafetyCaps to ensure that this would not happen to another child."
Decell says SafetyCaps are wider and ventilated using U.S. pacifier anti-choking regulations.
"To date, more than 40 hospitals have written to the CPSC asking them to regulate these devices," Decell said. "The CPSC said that not enough kids have been hurt by these devices so the aren't willing to regulate them. Would you rather have a reactive CPSC or a proactive CPSC?"
What faltering economy? Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and her husband Pete Wentz could be the latest Hollywood celebs to benefit from selling their baby pictures. A celebrity publicist says they could land a sum somewhere in the low seven figures.
"Two million seems like a good, solid figure for Ashlee and Pete," said celebrity publicist Howard Bragman. "It's a two-celeb couple, so that's a boost for them."
While the pictures are gravy for magazines, some ethicists and child psychologists are disturbed by the practice, which treads the nexus of money, parenthood and fame.
"If your own parents are literally selling you out, where can one feel safe?" asked Bruce Weinstein, a syndicated ethics columnist. "What's especially troubling is that the person who's the subject of these photos isn't able to give informed consent. I could imagine that person being really troubled by it."
If it's time for turkey and dressing and Santa and his reindeer, it's also cold and flu season. Parenting.com explores the reasons why kids get sicker at night and seven remedies for their symptoms.
Also, don't miss The Six Most Annoying Things Kids Say, Baffling Kid Behavior Explained and No More Whining.
By Jill Dyer
BBA Contributor
Because it's time to pass on her shoes that are too small.
I went through Hope's closet to gather things to pass on some things. I had piled all of her shoes that were too small on her bed. She asked why they were on her bed, and I said that they were too little for her, so it was time to give away. She started fussing saying they DID still fit her. She struggled to get one on her foot (picture Cinderella's step-sisters trying to get the slipper to fit!) She finally got her foot in and said "SEE it does fit. Oooouch!" I, of course, ran to get my camera, and she had gathered up all of them that she could hold and was headed to put them back in her close
t.
Congrats to Valerie (comment #52) who is the winner of our giveaway for the Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox. Her comment said, "funny funny - hooray for rubber gloves!" Congrats, Valerie. We'll send you an email, so we can send your prize or you can email us with your mailing address.
:: Simpson-Wentz Has a Boy
The pop star has finally popped. Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and her rocker hubby Pete Wentz welcomed son Bronx Mowgli Wentz, their first child together, Thursday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The baby boy weighed in at 7 pounds, 11 ounces and measured 20½ inches.
:: Maguire's Wife Expecting Again
"Spider-Man" star Tobey Maguire is set to become a dad again. His jewelry designer wife Jennifer Meyer is pregnant with the couple's second child.
:: Influential Suri
Forbes Magazine has named Suri Cruise, the two-year-old daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, the most influential baby in Hollywood.
:: Rumors...
41-year-old Nicole Kidman says she is not pregnant again and just has a "little tummy." ... Are Ryan Phillippe and Abby Cornish expecting? ... Is Mariah Carey pregnant?
We'd like to welcome another of Baby Blog Addict's newest advertisers: Baby Bedding Universe. They help make choosing your new treasure’s crib bedding a delight by featuring a range of the finest affordable bedding from trusted manufacturers, so they're sure you’ll find something just perfect! And from the time you do, to the moment it arrives at your door, Baby Bedding Universe strives to make your shopping experience a great pleasure (while their generous return arrangements offer you real peace-of-mind).
By Shera Wheeler
BBA Contributor
I work from 6-8 every morning. Today, at around 7:40, I downloaded a report that was super long! My husband leaves for work at 7:45, so I had to be a neglectful mom for about an hour. I put my son in his highchair with his breakfast next to me. I put my daughter's little table right behind me and gave her markers and paper to color with. She can entertain herself for a very long time if she is coloring. When I turned around to check on her...this is what she looked like. She was pretty proud!!!
Send us your funny blog posts and video clips. Click here to find out how.
Since our baby boy just turned three, is finally starting to use the potty and just took his first school pictures, we've been a little nostalgic lately. These are a couple of video favorites from our personal collection. Enjoy!
So you have a new baby and want to start saving some cash for him or her since they're too preoccupied with other things right now to do it themselves?
Here are a few tips.
:: Treating a Baby's Fever
Pediatricians often need to reassure parents when their toddler or preschooler has a high fever. Newborns don’t handle infection very well. Their immature immune systems leave them vulnerable to severe infections that can rage out of control. So if fever occurs in a very young baby, the advice to parents is always to call the doctor right away.
:: Milestone Birth
The 100,000th baby was born Tuesday at The Women's Hospital of Greensboro.
:: Victoria's Secret Model Talks About Post-Baby Life
New mom Alessandra Ambrosio gives the scoop on her new body, how she stays in shape, and upcoming wedding plans.
:: Unique Baby Shower
Rather than presenting typical baby shower gifts like bottles and diapers, guests will buy tickets to the event and will be treated to an intimate, world class concert featuring top music artists. The proceeds from the event will be donated to help feed, clothe and care for orphans in Ethiopia.
:: Kidman Stressed About Leaving Baby Daughter
Nicole Kidman has spent her first whole day away from baby Sunday Rose and admits the experience left her "reeling."
:: THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED. CLICK HERE TO SEE IF WE HAVE A CURRENT GIVEAWAY. 
A couple of weeks ago, we spotlighted one of our new advertisers, Peek-a-boo Paperie. They have adorable holiday cards and birth announcements. I love their drag and drop feature where you can see what your pictures will look like on the card and even resize and rotate them on the screen.
Peek-a-boo is giving away 40 CARDS (with a retail value of $66.40) to one lucky Baby Blog Addict reader, so enter here for your chance to win.
Here's how to enter the giveaway:
1. Go to Peek-a-boo Paperie and check out their adorable cards.
2. Come back to this post on BBA and leave a comment letting us know which card is your favorite.
3. Make sure we have your contact info (email or blog address) in your blogger profile or comment itself, so we can contact you if you win. Only one entry per person per giveaway.
This contest runs: Tuesday, 11/18 - Sunday, 11/23 at 7:00 PM ET. We'll select a random winner then post their name here on BBA after the contest ends.
Congrats to the three winners of our Spunky Sprout Giveaway. 
All BBA readers can still enjoy 10% off any purchase until Dec. 24th 2008. Just use the code: babyblog10.
Don't miss our giveaway going on now through Thursday, 11/20, for a Daddy Diaper Changing Toolkit. Good luck to everyone!
I came across this great Fleurville Seconds Sale on Hip Mama's Place. I love the Fleurville diaper bags, but they are pricey.
Here's what Fleurville says on their website. "Seconds are bags that did not make the cut during our rigorous Quality Control process. They are all functional bags with all of their components that have cosmetic blemishes which could include but are not limited to: fabric flaws, stains on the fabric, wrinkles, cloudy TPU, and lamination issues. All seconds sales are non-refundable, non-returnable."
Their ONLINE SALE will run from 10:00 am PST on Tuesday, Nov. 18 through 5:00 pm PST Thursday Nov. 20.
Their WAREHOUSE SALE in San Rafael, CA will be open from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm PST Nov 18 - 20 (Tues. – Thurs.)
Tip Junkie is on Day 5 of her 12 Days of Junkie. She even has a Winner Announcement Page set up for this giveaway and future ones, like the Christmas Card Challenge, Christmas Tree Decorating Challenge and a yet-to-be announced giveaway in January.
Don't miss our current giveaways too:
Here's how to enter the giveaway::: Don't miss our other giveaway of 40 Cards from Peek-a-boo Paperie - ends Sunday, 11/23/08 at 7 PM ET.
Actor Adam Sandler is a parent for the second time. Under the headline "Sandler Had A Kid!" on the home page of his official Web site, the announcement said, "Jackie and Adam had a beautiful baby girl, Sunny Madeline on Nov. 2. Everyone is happy and healthy."
Thomas Beatie, the former Hawaiian beauty queen who became a man, caused a worldwide clamor when the transgendered male gave birth to his own daughter in June. Now, he's announced he's pregnant with his second child, due on June 12.
In an upcoming interview with Barbara Walters in a special on ABC, Beatie says that after the birth of his daughter on June 24, he didn't resume male hormone treatment so he could get pregnant again. His wife is unable to conceive a child because she had a hysterectomy. Beatie's story will air Friday. Walters highlighted the interview on her daytime chat show, "The View," today.
"I feel good," Beatie told Walters. "I had my checkups with my hormone level. ... And everything is right on track." (Los Angeles Times)
A columnist for TIME magazine wants your help naming his baby. Here's an excerpt:
"As a pretentious, self-important yuppie hipster, I thought it was a great idea to pay a baby-name consultant, an occupation created just a year ago. For $35, I got 12 name suggestions from Jennifer Moss at BabyNames.com that included four names we were already considering: Elijah, Jude, Dashiell and Edison, which is particularly weird because we totally made up the name Edison, since it's the town I'm from in New Jersey. My main concern with these is that they'll all get my son beaten up. But Moss said, "When we've done our surveys, people say, 'I was teased about being Anna.' Kids will tease about anything if they don't like you. Don't worry about it. Unless it rhymes with a body part." Which, sadly, ruled out my favorite choice: Smesticles Stein."
Snapfish.com is offering The Oprah Winfrey Show viewers (and Baby Blog Addict readers now too) a free 8" x 11" custom-cover photo book! This would make a great Christmas gift for your spouse, your baby, the grandparents or yourself.
All you need to do is create a Snapfish.com account now or log in to your existing account to receive this special offer. This offer is only good for one standard 20-page 8" x 11" custom-cover photo book per household. Coupon dispersal ends at 11:59 p.m. PST Friday, November 14, 2008. Free photo book must be redeemed by 11:59 p.m. PST Sunday, November 16, 2008. Offer does not include customary shipping and handling changes or additional pages. Offer applies only to mail-order delivery to U.S. customers.
**UPDATE: I just received an email saying that they've extended the deadline to create the book. It's now 11/22, instead of 11/16.
By Jennifer
BabyBlogAddict.com
Who Knew that the terrible threes could be worse than the terrible twos. Our son just turned three last month and something happened. We felt pretty lucky to never really experience the "terrible twos." He had melt downs, but no real tantrums where he would throw himself on the floor and kick and scream.
Well that all changed in the past month. No one warned us before hand about the upcoming "Terrible Threes" or as one friend put it, "The Shock and Awe Threes."
Who Knew that this was coming? Well, now you know, so you can be prepared...unlike us.
Previous Posts:
:: Who Knew? Guck in Bath Toys
:: Who Knew? Toddlers Can Tell Time
:: Who Knew? Vertically Challenged Moms
:: Who Knew? Different Size Nipples
Businessweek has released its second annual rankings of the best places to raise your kids. This year, they went state by state and selected towns with at least 50,000 residents and a median family income between $40,000 and $100,000.
The list was then narrowed down using the following weighted criteria: school performance; number of schools; household expenditures; crime rates; air quality; job growth; family income; museums, parks, theaters, and other amenities; and diversity. School performance and safety were weighted most heavily, but strong weight was also given to amenities and affordability.
Click here to see A-I on the list. Click here for the entire list (scroll down to the pictures).
We'd like to introduce the newest BBA advertiser, Peek-a-boo Paperie. The idea was born when the owner, Jill, set out to design a birth announcement for her niece that really reflected her little personality. Her niece was introduced to family and friends as being "Born to Rock." In the process of creating her announcement, Jill discovered a passion for designing cards that are fun, whimsical and really speak to the animated nature of babies.
Peek-a-boo Paperie is also the first birth announcement site where parents can literally drag photos of their babies onto the announcement and resize/rotate the photos online. This way parents can see how their photos will appear in the announcement as well as pick and choose which photos they want to use.
:: THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. CLICK HERE TO SEE IF WE HAVE A CURRENT GIVEAWAY.
Spunky Sprout is a one-stop-shop for a modern child's lifestyle, so we're excited to offer you an opportunity to win three items from their online store.
Check out what you can win. We're giving away these three items to three different winners!
Congrats to Chris (comment #1...yes, can you believe that random.org chose #1?!) She is the winner of our giveaway of a trendy hat of her choice from Pearl and Pauper.
Everyone else can still enjoy 10% off your Pearl and Pauper order using the coupon code: babyblogaddict.
:: Unique Pregnancy Ticker
:: Kid'Sleep Clock
:: Website Spotlight: Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox
:: Giveaway: Trendy Hat from Pearl and Pauper
:: Popsqually + Co's Holiday Giveaway
:: Costume Contest Winners
:: Halloween Costume Contest Slideshow
:: Diaper Cake Winner
:: Pregnancy Weight Gain, Big Babies Linked
:: Celeb Baby Name Theft
:: Ask a Todder: Hiring a Toddler
This pregnancy ticker from I am Pregnant shows a white puzzle to start with. Every 4 days of your pregnancy a piece of the puzzle is taken away You can choose from their selection of pictures or even use your own photo (maybe an ultrasound picture) for the ticker. Just upload it in the right column.
For more tickers that we've featured here on BBA, click here.
Here's a follow up to our Who Knew: Toddlers Can Tell Time post a couple of months ago. Now, kids don't even have to know their numbers. Check out the Kid'Sleep Clock...only problem is that it's only available in Europe right now. I wonder if something like this exists in the U.S.?
Another new BBA advertiser is Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox. Check out their ad in the right sidebar.
Not only is today's Dad willing to help with late night feedings and diaper changes, he is willing to be a part of the celebration to welcome the arrival of your bundle of joy!
Chris Hartsfield went to his first couples baby shower in October of 2007. At the shower, he was blown away by all the gifts given for the baby and mom, but nothing for dad other than his favorite beer in the fridge.
Although Chris was happy to be a part of the shower, he wished that there had been something more to acknowledge and celebrate fatherhood. This inspired Chris to design the Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox, the box that changed it all. Chris wanted to provide Dads with a chuckle as well as arm them with everything they would need for their very first diaper change, and he did this with practicality in mind. All of the comic extras in the toolbox are actually useable. For example: a functional toolbox and tongs for the grill. Chris put his ideas into action and collaborated with Julie Etzkorn to start Fun Stuff 4 Babies.
Mark your calendars! On November 12th, we'll start a contest to give away a Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox.
:: THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED. CLICK HERE TO SEE IF WE HAVE A CURRENT GIVEAWAY.
Pearl and Pauper has some adorable hats for boys, girls and moms too! I know some of you will go crazy over these...yes, that includes you Bridget ;). We are so excited to be giving away one of these great hats (winner's choice) from Pearl and Pauper this week.
Plus, Pearl and Pauper is offering 10% off for anyone who orders using the coupon code: babyblogaddict.
Here's how to enter:
1. Go to Pearl and Pauper to check out their adorable selection of trendy hats and accessories.
2. Come back to this post on BBA and leave a comment letting us know which item is your favorite. Make sure we have your contact info (email or blog address) in your blogger profile or comment itself, so we can contact you if you win. Only one entry per person per giveaway. Must have a U.S. mailing address.
3. We'll select a random winner on random.org, then post the winner here on BBA after the contest ends.
This contest runs: Tuesday, 11/4 - Sunday, 11/9/08 at 7:00 PM ET.
More about Pearl and Pauper:
Pearl and Pauper is a company born out of complete love and adoration for accessories. The founder has always loved to accessorize. Because of this, she decided that she would share her love of beautiful things, and provide a way for everyone else to have what she loves to wear most.
They handmake all of their items and the turn around time is usually about 5-10 days, definitely reasonable when it comes to handmade items!
Popsqually + Co. is giving away a Holiday Stationery Set including (12) personalized notecards, (20) address labels, (20) personalized gift labels and (10) folded personalized tags! Enter on Popsqually's blog. Here's a direct link to the giveaway. Winner will be announced Nov. 11.
BBA readers can get 10% off their purchase with the code BBAHoliday10. Thanks, Mandy!
