Burkett Quad Squad...*Updated

Last week's post announcing the birth of the Wilkinson Quints and Steece Quads generated a comment from the Burkett Quad Squad. They said:

"What great families!!!! We've been following them both for a while now, and have 4 of our own who will be here any day. As if you don't have enough blogs to read, you can keep up with us at http://thequadsquad.blogspot.com/. Great site! God bless!"

I've been following the Quad Squad blog ever since they shared it with us last week and it looks like today is the day for Benjamin, Baron, Anna & Allie to make their arrival. Our thoughts and prayers are with them for a healthy delivery.

*The quad squad blog has been updated with the arrival of the babies:

Benjamin Russell - 3lbs. 4.5oz. 15.5 inches born at 3:50 pm
Allie Grace - 2lbs. 12oz. 15.75 inches born at 3:51 pm
Anna Ruth - 3lbs. 5oz. 16 inches born at 3:52 pm
Baron Ross - 3lbs. 2 oz. 16.5 inches born at 3:52 pm

According to their father, "All 4 of them cried as they came out. It was beautiful!...Thanks for the prayers! Keep praying!"

Website Spotlight: Baby Cheapskate

Wanna save money on baby stuff? Baby cheapskate has done all the work for you. Check them out for coupon codes, diaper and formula deals and affordable baby products.

Healthy Ways for Babies to Play and Learn

The Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder, The Musical Inchworm, Babysilk Babysafe Sunscreen Towelettes, the Strollometer, Erba Organics and Discover & Play Colour Blocks are among the items recommended to keep your newborn safe and smiling.

Baby Photo Contest

Tom Arma, the most published baby photographer in the world, and BuyCostumes.com have announced a national search for the Tom Arma Baby and Toddler of the Year. Photo contest grand prize winners will be selected in time for Halloween 2007.

Go to this website to enter.

Want to Feed Your Kids for Free?

Check out mykidseatfree.com to find out which restaurants in your city offer Kids Eat Free specials. Search your state and city here.

Quints and Quads!

QUINTS - On Tuesday, July 31, Rachelle and Jayson Wilkinson and big brother Riley and big sister Kaiya welcomed quints (that's five babies!) at 34weeks gestation. The five babies collectively weighed over 21 pounds and actually set a record for total infant weight. Check out wilkinsonquints.com for their story. You can also look back and follow mom Rachelle's blog and dad Jayson's blog.

I was just introduced to the Wilkinson Quints' blogs yesterday, and was amazed by their story (what higher order multiples' story isn't amazing, right) and the fact that she was able to carry her quints until 34 weeks! Let's help to welcome the Wilkinson quints to the world:

Kassidy - 5 pounds, 1 ounce
Kaydence - 3 pounds, 6 ounces
Rustin - 4 pounds, 15 ounces
Kyndall - 4 pounds, 2 ounces
Ryder - 3 pounds, 15 ounces

QUADS - Then yesterday, Wednesday, August 1st, Suzanne and Joe Steece welcomed their quads (that's four babies) at 30 weeks 1 day. I've been following The Life of Suz throughout her pregnancy. They are such an amazing couple and definitely have a sense of humor that will come in handy when raising quads. Don't miss their "I'm having QUADRUPLETS??!?!?!" post. Here are their quads, one-by-one:

Andrew - 2 pounds, 8.6 ounces
Savannah - 2 pounds, 14.8 ounces
Ethan - 2 pounds, 7 ounces
Benjamin - 3 pounds, 4 ounces

It sounds like both families are blessed with love, prayers and support from family, friends and even strangers. I'm sure they would welcome continued thoughts and prayers from all of us baby blog addicts too.

Fisher-Price to Recall Nearly 1M Toys

Toy maker Fisher-Price is recalling 83 types of toys - including the popular Big Bird, Elmo, Dora and Diego characters - because their paint contains excessive amounts of lead.

The recall involves 967,000 plastic preschool toys made by a Chinese vendor and sold in the United States between May and August. It is the latest in a wave of recalls that has heightened global concern about the safety of Chinese-made products.

Check out the Consumer Product Safety Commission's website for a complete list of the products in this recall.

Update...

>> Addicts Across America (Prattville, AL)

Come clean and admit you're a Baby Blog Addict! Send your first names, city (optional) and state to editor@babyblogaddict.com.

Website Spotlight: Lucky Baby Wear

I've seen lots of baby slings, but so many of them are made with not-so-cute fabric. Well, how cute are these! I came across them on a friend's baby blog and knew that I had to spotlight Lucky Baby Wear.

Parents usually turn to "baby wearing" for convenience, but did you know that another great benefit of wearing your child in a sling is that they can actually grow to be more independent children? Because you are more in tune with their needs and are more apt to take care of their needs quickly when they are held close to you, children who are worn in slings are more secure with their environment and thus more independent.

Tidbits from Lucky Baby owner, Candice: "We donate to children's charities; we hire moms who work from home; our slings are made in the U.S.; and we have a new padded sling coming out that's revolutionary."

Recipe: Squash and Tomato Salad

I had this salad at a friend's party and had to get the recipe. It's a great alternative to hot veggies as a side dish during the summer and a great dish to bring to a party. It's also healthy for the little ones...if they give it a try.

3 ½ cups sliced yellow squash
1 pint grape tomatoes (cut in half )
½ cup purple onion (thin vertical slices)
¼ cup fresh basil chopped (less if you use dried basil)
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
¼ cup white wine vinegar
1 ½ teaspoons olive oil
⅛ teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
1 garlic clove, minced

1. Blanch squash (instructions below). Combine with tomatoes, onion, feta cheese and basil. Set aside.
2. Combine remaining ingredients - vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic in a separate bowl. Stir well.
3. Pour over vegetables. Toss gently.
4. It's better if you let the salad marinate for 12-24 hours.

How to Blanch Squash
I had to google it, so I figured I'd provide blanching instructions for you.
1. Put sliced squash in basket and lower into boiling water. Cover and return to boil.
2. Boil for three minutes.
3. Remove basket and plunge into ice cold water for about three minutes.
4. Drain all excess water.

Leave Those Kids Alone

The idea that adults should be playing with their kids is a modern invention -- and not necessarily a good one.

PBK Recall

Pottery Barn Kids recalls crib bumpers due to entanglement hazard. The diamond matelassé, floral matelassé and polka dot matelassé crib bumpers included in the recall were sold at Pottery Barn Kids stores nationwide, in its catalog and online from February 2003 through June 2007.

Thanks for the heads-up on our Baby Blog Addict forum, Bridget.

Update...

>> Addicts Across America (Kingsland, GA)

Come clean and admit you're an a Baby Blog Addict! Send your first names, city (optional) and state to editor@babyblogaddict.com.

Naming Baby

You may love your name or hate your name, but unless you feel like filling out a lot of paperwork, there's no changing it. Naming a baby can be a frustrating task, especially if friends and family start offering their opinions.

'Bachelorette' Star Has a Boy

Stop the presses! Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter are the first reality TV duo to reproduce. The couples' baby boy, named Maxwell Alston Sutter, was born on Thursday in their hometown of Vail, Colorado. He was born a few weeks ahead of schedule, weighing in at 5 pounds, 3 ounces.

Military Baby Boom

Apparently many military couples at Fort Campbell, Kentucky celebrated last fall when about 20,000 soldiers with the 101st Airborne Division came home, because the military hospital here is now seeing a baby boom. The hospital expects to deliver 210 babies a month soon, nearly twice the usual number of deliveries, and more are expected at other nearby hospitals in Tennessee and Kentucky.

Parents Split on Learning Baby's Sex

U.S. adults are split on whether they would want to learn the sex of their baby before birth, according to a new Gallup poll.

Computer Program Can Learn Baby Talk

A college professor says his computer program supports the theory that babies systematically sort through sounds until they understand the structure of a language.

"The problem the child confronts is how many categories are there and how should I think about it. We're trying to propose a method that solves that problem," said James McClelland, a psychology professor at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.

Lightweight Stroller

Once your child is out of the infant seat, you may want to trade in that bulky travel system for something a little easier to handle. The Chicco Capri Stroller is a great lightweight stroller. I have it in red for my little boy and my sister just got it in this new 70's pattern for her little girl. It's also available in Key Lime, Tangerine, Aqua and Blue.

The reviews are great. It's only 11 lbs, has a 5-point harness, reclining seat and storage basket. The only concerns raised are that the canopy can get dirty from the wheels when you fold the stroller and the clip that holds the stroller together when folded is really tight to latch.

Stay-At-Home Calculator

Dream of quitting your job to stay home with the kids? The first step is understanding your expenses. The second is seeing if your family can cover them comfortably on just one salary. Check out this Stay At Home Calculator from Parents.com.