Baby Bedding by Art-ickles as well as our recommended Baby Store
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Filed under: Babies, Toddlers, Places to go, Health and safety, Baby essentials, Mealtime
Ever get tired of eating at home or suffering through take out? Ever fantasize about going out to a nice meal that someone else cooks, someone else serves you and someone else cleans up? Ever figure out how to turn that fantasy into a reality and actually get you, your spouse and your kids out the door at a reasonable hour before things get too crowded and miraculously find yourselves seated at a table at--oh!--a restaurant? You've finally managed to sit down and rest your aching feet, your aching back, your aching everything. You've got the kid's food and his toys and his diaper changer and your spouse has managed to put down the stroller and find a safe place for it out of the way. The server has brought the high chair. And, as you're sliding the baby down into it, you realize it's broken. The latches don't work or don't exist or whatever. You kindly ask for another one, explaining this one is broken. The server obliges and brings you another one, which is, alas, also broken. Not only is it not safe, but it simply won't hold your son, who is more excited than ever to be in a new place with new faces and smells and ever so much excitement. He can't sit still. In fact, he won't sit at all and you have to hold him down to keep him from standing in the high chair. Continue reading How do you deal with broken highchairs?
Filed under: Just for moms, Fun and activities  Adventure Moms is a group of mothers. Sure, there are tons of mommy groups out there, organizing playdates, taking stroller walks around the local mall, discussing the latest parenting books. This one, however, is different. The group plans less traditional mommy outings such as rock climbing, sea kayaking, and fencing.Naturally, they leave the kids at home for these activities. "Having kids is an adventure in itself," said thirty-nine-year-old Jenn Keohane, a mother of two. "It's so all-consuming, you lose a part of yourself, the person you used to be before you had them. By the time my kids got out of the baby phase, I realized something was missing." The group, she added, "enabled me to get back a little of what I used to have. Even though it's only half a day once a month." Mind you, everything on their list is either something I've enjoyed doing in the past or would love to do. Alas, since having kids, such opportunities are few and far between. If you're in the same boat, perhaps you should consider starting a similar group in your area. And if anyone wants to start an Adventure Dads group, by all means, let me know.
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Hey, it's Mother's Day. Just because you're not a mommy yet doesn't mean you shouldn't take care of yourself like one. I can tell you from past experience, how you treat yourself while you're pregnant will very much impact how you take care of yourself (or don't) when you're a mom. And, take it from me, it's important to do both. It will make you a happier person and probably a better mom to do so. MSN offers several keen suggestions for moms to be to make it through the day and keep on track. even if you're not a mom to be, and are already a mom (or not!) I think there is something in this list of suggestions that would benefit us all. So, if you have time after your Mother's Day brunch, check out these tips and see which ones you might like to give a whirl. I myself am partial to the one regarding taking naps at lunch. I don't know how well this would fly at my office or anyone else's, but if you have the ability, I say go for it. Sleep during pregnancy is of the utmost importance. After you become a mom, it's downright essential. And it seems none of us parents ever gets enough. Heaven forbid those of us without TiVo stay up late enough to watch the latest episode of Lost! Continue reading Pregnancy tips all moms can use
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Filed under: Just for moms, Money and work, 2Moms2Dads, Celeb parenting  Generally speaking, moms have a lot of power at home. Some moms, however, wield a lot of power outside the home too, and that takes a lot of effort and determination. Dana over at Mombian has compiled a list of the most powerful lesbian moms in America. These are women who are not only caring for their kids, but are also making a difference in the world.The list includes a lot of women we hear about all the time -- Melissa Etheridge, Mary Cheney, Rosie O'Donnell -- as well as some you might not have heard of at all -- Lisa Brummel (senior vice president for human resources at Microsoft), Megan Smith (vice president of new business development at Google), and Karla Drenner (Georgia State Representative). Of course, everyone's definition of power is different, but I think we can all agree that these are women who are definitely higher up on the ladder than most. And if that weren't enough, they're also all moms -- probably the most challenging and difficult job on the planet. Cheers to all of them! 
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Filed under: Just for moms, Media, That's entertainment  Sadly, there appears to be a dearth of movies that feature female leads at all, let alone mothers, except, perhaps, on the Lifetime channel. As XKCD points out, the ratio of male-to-female lead roles is definitely out of whack. Can you think of a big-budget film with a female lead (where the female wasn't just a love interest)? Sure, there's Tomb Raider and The Devil Wears Prada, but for every movie like that, there are literally dozens -- if not hundreds -- of movies with male leads.Now consider the plight of the mother in Hollywood. Or, rather, lack thereof. Moms seem to be just an afterthought. Someone to give context to the male lead's homelife. Frankly, that kind of sucks. Still, I was able to come up with some maternal movies for Mother's day. Take a look at my list and then see if you can add any more in the comments.
Filed under: Newborns, Just for moms, Pregnancy and birth, Celeb parenting  Women going through childbirth might as well check their modesty at the door. Depending on how you handle your own labor experience, any number of medical professionals, friends, and family members may be privy to parts of your body that you yourself need a mirror and an awkward angle to see.Then, afterward, the cameras come out. The baby is cute and the husband is dressed and well-rested, but mom? Well, if your pictures look like mine, you look sweaty, pale, and exhausted. According to the New York Post, some moms -- influenced by today's celebrity mom lifestyle -- are taking steps to look their best in their post-labor pictures. Some are even planning appointments around their due date, making sure that they have fresh manicures, pedicures, hairstyles, and even bikini waxes. Continue reading Labor, delivery, and a bikini wax
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Filed under: Newborns, Babies, Toddlers, Health and safety  You're having a baby, now where to put the car seat? According to a recent study, the most popular placement for car seats is the rear passengers side, most likely so that the driver can most easily see and attend to the baby. But the same study found that the safest place for baby is actually in the center position of the back seat, if the car seat can be installed correctly in that position. An analysis of data from car accidents in 16 states found that kids under age 3 who sat in the center were 43% less likely to get hurt. Sometimes, placing the car seat in the center just isn't possible. In our first car, we couldn't get a snug fit. Our second is a minivan, with bucket seats in the back. If this is the case for you, safety experts remind you that any car seat that is properly installed in the rear offers excellent protection. But if you can get it installed correctly in the center, even better.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Filed under: Teens and tweens, Celeb parenting, In the news  David Archuleta is one of three contestants left in the final round of this season's American Idol, so it stands to reason that the pressure is on. But it's hard to say who's feeling the pressure more, David or his dad.Jeff Archuleta, who is allowed backstage because David, 17, is still a minor, recently lost his backstage pass for not following the rules. Though Archuleta had been warned about his overbearing influence during rehearsals in the past, he broke a rule last week that cost the show extra money. When David sang the song "Stand By Me," his father added in a verse from Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls," which American Idol then had to pay for. According to Wikipedia, this isn't the first time Archuleta has been accused of overstepping his role of stage parent. Naomi Judd, who worked with the family on Star Search once said that Jeff Archuleta was the "worst stage dad," and that security measures had to be put into place during that series as well.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Filed under: Toddlers, Medical conditions, Weird but true, Sleep, Special needs  Sleep deprivation is a normal part of early parenthood. But for David and Shannon Lamb, sleep issues have taken on a whole new meaning. Their three-year-old son, Rhett, hasn't slept at all -- not a night, not a nap -- since he was born. Rhett has a rare condition called chiari malformation, which his doctors believe is the cause of his sleeplessness. Patients with chiari malformation have a skull that is abnormally formed and puts pressure on the brain, causing it to protrude through the bottom of the skull. People with chiari malformation may have muscle weakness, vision problems, or coordination issues. Symptoms can range from nonexistent to severe. Continue reading Three-year-old boy has never slept
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Filed under: Just for moms, In the news, Weird but true  Alan and Marie Walsh have been married for 23 years. They have three children together and have lived in San Diego for the last ten years. Alan Walsh described his wife as an honorable woman who cared deeply about her family. Federal marshals, however, described her as an escaped convict and a wanted woman.It turns out that more than thirty years ago, Walsh -- whose real name is Susan LeFevre -- escaped from the Detroit House of Corrections after serving only a year of her ten to twenty year sentence for drug-related charges. "We're still just getting over this but it's been a tremendous shock to us," said her husband. LeFevre told detectives that her family did not know of her past. "Our family is threatened to be destroyed by something that happened to her as a 19-year-old teenager 34 years ago in Michigan," said Alan Walsh. I can't condone what LeFevre did or her escape, but I have to feel for her family.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Filed under: Newborns, Babies, Pregnancy and birth, Resources  I've always wished I had detachable arms because they always got in the way when I try to sleep. (Of course, I've never solved the problem of how one would get them reattached when one woke up, but I'm still working on it.) Babies, according to just about everyone, have a similar issue. They prefer to be wrapped up with their arms tucked in tight at their sides.This is called swaddling a baby. We did this for our first two and I assumed that I would remember how to do it for our third who was born earlier this week. Alas, I am old and forgetful, so the process didn't come back to me. Now, I could have just asked a nurse to show me how to do it, but being the complete nerd that I am, I turned instead to the internet. There are quite a few videos on YouTube that demonstrate various ways to swaddle an infant. The one that I like best is the ultra swaddle, although the blankets at the hospital weren't long enough to do it right. If you're using a really big blanket, the Baby Burrito video makes it look pretty easy. Taking the simple swaddle one step further, this video uses a second blanket to create a burka-like wrap that seems pretty secure. Lastly, here's a fun pastime for new parents and their friends -- a swaddle battle. See who can swaddle the kid the best, the fastest, and the most successfully. After watching all these videos, you'd think I'd be a swaddle master, but unfortunately, I'm not. It's not all my fault, however; I have a very uncooperative partner -- one who likes to wave his arms about and kick his legs like mad. Still, I'll keep practicing and, someday, I'll get it right. Probably right about the time he's ready to go off to college.
Filed under: Adoption, Playground bureau, Media  A few years ago, my best friend decided to build her family through adoption. Recently, she became Mom to an amazing young boy. She's taught me so much over the last few years, both about the process but also about how how to be sensitive to adoptive parents and children. So I was shocked when I read that a company called Teleflora, which is currently sponsoring an America's Favorite Mom contest for Mother's Day (Donnie and Marie Osmand will crown the winner on NBC's Primetime tomorrow night), categorized adoptive moms in their contest as "non-moms." An adoption blogger complained, and the company quickly realized their error. They've now change the category to "adopting moms" and issued an apology on their web page. Continue reading Contest calls adoptive moms "non-moms"
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Filed under: Health and safety, Medical conditions, Celeb kids, Celeb parenting  When Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen broke up way back when, many speculated that playboy Charlie had been caught doing something he shouldn't have been doing. There may or may not be something to that theory, but according to Denise Richards, the final straw in the relationship had nothing to do with another woman. She says it was an ugly disagreement over vaccinations that made her realize her marriage wasn't going to work.Denise says that when she decided to vaccinate four-year-old daughter Sam, Charlie accused her of poisoning their child. "I knew when he said that, that the marriage wasn't going to work," she tells Rebook magazine. While that does seem a little harsh, I've seen first hand right here at Parent Dish how the subject of vaccinations can divide parents. In the end, the best we can do is agree to disagree. But when mom and dad have different opinions, things can get a little more complicated. Have you and your partner found yourselves on different sides of the vaccination debate? How did you work it out?
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"He only wears hand-me-downs because I've got all these older nephews," Parker, 43, says in the newest issue of Parade magazine. "That's the God's honest truth! Plus, my mother saved all my brothers' clothes. I am not kidding. I don't think I've ever bought him any clothes. Maybe a new winter's coat...." Continue reading Sarah Jessica Parker's son wears hand-me-downs
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Filed under: Just for moms, Mealtime  My girls and I took my husband out to dinner tonight, a thank you for an afternoon digging out concrete and sod so that we could have a new garden. As we ate, a woman near us caught my eye. Her kids appeared to be about two years apart, the same as mine. Hers, however, were still very young -- an infant and a toddler.She caught my eye because of the way she was sitting. The baby was sitting on the seat of the booth, in her infant car seat. Her son sat next to the baby. The mom sat perched on the tiniest edge of the booth, trying valiantly to scarf down as much food as she could in the moments where no one needed something from her. They were few and far between. Oh, how I remember those days. We're past them now and I was enjoying a fairly quiet meal with my family. But this poor mom had anything but a peaceful meal. She fed, she soothed, she cut up food, she fished her boy out from under the table, gave the baby a bottle...I even saw her eating standing up at one point. Her husband sat across from her, eating his meal in peace. I got the feeling that he would have liked to help, but maybe he just didn't know how. I was tired just watching her. Continue reading Make time for Mom this Mother's Day
Filed under: Celeb kids, Celeb parenting  As the parent of a 7-year-old, I am extremely aware of Miley Cyrus and her incredible rise to fame. As someone over the age of forty, I am also well acquainted with her Achy-Breaky dad, Billy Ray. I'm a fan of both and wish nothing but the best for them. However, I've been quietly, and not so quietly, wondering just what the heck is wrong with Billy Ray. It seems that he has forgotten that he is the father of a 15-year-old and not just the co-star and friend of Miley Cyrus.I've taken a little heat for that opinion, but clearly I am not the only one who thinks Billy Ray Cyrus is falling down on the parenting job. In response to that Vanity Fair photo of Miley wearing nothing but a sheet and a come-hither look, former child-star Marie Osmond lays the blame on dad. By way of explanation, Billy Ray has said he was present in the beginning of that photo shoot - before the offending photo was taken - but that he had another appointment and had to leave. That, says Osmond, is where he went wrong. "My parents never, never left us alone," she says. "We always had some form of a guardian or something with us, a guardian that would represent what they would have done." Osmond says she was fortunate to have the best kind of stage mother in Olive Osmond. "She was there for every stage of my life. I think, if your kids are going to be in that kind of business, then you need to make it your business to be there for them and help them figure out, but not necessarily to control them." Everybody makes mistakes and Billy Ray clearly made one in leaving that photo shoot early. But if a 47-year-old experienced entertainer could make such a mistake, imagine the mistakes a fifteen-year-old will make without someone there to guide her.
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Are they funny? Are they creepy? Are they a little bit of both? Yeah--that last one. Pictures of manbabies have surfaced on the web, and they're a hit. Ah, what will they think of next? This is the kind of thing that, when I see it, gives me a chuckle but also lets me know I have too much free internet surfing time on my hands. Still, these pics are pretty funny and perhaps worth a look. The idea is to take a picture of a man and his baby and switch their heads. The head of the baby is made bigger and the head of the man is made smaller to match the body sizes of both. Weird but true! PopSugar was the first I've seen to get hold of the photos, which you can check out in a slideshow here. Want to get in on the action? All you have to do is provide your own family photo. While this seems more appropriate for Father's Day than the impending Mother's Day holiday, I thought it best to alert you to this site for your viewing enjoyment asap. ENJOY! Or, should I say, "Manjoy?" And, yes, that is a normal picture of a man and his baby. You'll have to check out the ManBabies website if you want the real thing.
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Continue reading Michelle Duggar pregnant AGAIN!
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Filed under: Media  On the dashboard of the software that powers ParentDish, there's a little box that tells each blogger how many words and how many posts he or she has written.The dashboard tells me tonight: you have written 527,463 words and 1854 posts. That is a lot of words; that's an unfathomable amount of posts. I started writing here to supplement my income when things were tight financially during my maternity leave with my infant. My son was just a tiny baby, not yet walking, not yet talking. This blog has taken me through Nolan's first steps, my many parenting blunders, and provided me with perspective and sustenance during what was certainly the most emotionally wrenching year of my life. During my tenure here, in the beginning, I was my fiance's partner -- now I am just my son's Mother. We're doing so well, our hearts are full, I'm on a journey of learning to be a better parent. Your comments, over the years, have helped immeasurably. I consider many of you friends, and sometimes I lie awake in bed thinking about Anji's suggestion or Meagan's words of solidarity and your sharing has helped me be a better Mother -- and in many instances, a better person. Even some of the crazy trolls have helped -- I've grown a thicker skin, become more secure in my own convictions and strength. This is a slightly long winded way... Continue reading A goodbye and a welcome
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Blogging celebrity Heather Armstrong (better known as 
She might be famous for playing a character who wouldn't be caught dead in last season's clothes, but Sarah Jessica Parker is no designer diva when it comes to dressing her five-year-old son, James Wilke.
Apparently the Duggar clan hasn't quite filled that quiver! Michelle Duggar, matriarch of the popular Discovery Channel program "