Tuesday 6 April 2010

Moving Over To Technorati

Signed up with Technorati P7GDB7GS9256 so hopefully add some more exposure.

Friday 26 March 2010

Use Clipart To Make Baby Shower Invitations Colourful

If you're planning a baby shower and starting to look at invitations, you'll certainly want to look into finding some quality baby shower clip art. Putting baby shower clip art is the easiest and most affordable way to make your invitations, announcements and even party favours more interesting. They can help you design the perfect card, poster, flyer for the up and coming baby shower. And the best part about using baby shower clip art is that you don’t need to be an artist to use them. Aside from invitations and favours, you could also use baby shower clipart to create baby gifts and scrap booking accents for you, your family and your friends

There are many types of baby shower clip art. The range goes from the outrageously funny, irresistibly cute to the heart-warmingly sentimental. Of course on top of the list are drawings of babies in various positions. You have babies alone, babies with bottles, babies with teddy bears, babies with blankets or babies tucked in a cradle. You will find baby clip art pictures of babies with diapers, babies with no diapers, babies with a brother or sister, babies with a cute animal or pet, etc.

Everyone finds babies cute, cuddly and adorable and everyone simply loves looking at baby pictures. Putting baby shower clip art in your wedding invitation or flyer is a wise decision since it will definitely attract attention.

Another good thing about baby shower clipart is that it is very easy to find. And usually you can get them free of charge. And even if you have to pay a fee, it is often very affordable. And the money you shell out will definitely be worth it since baby shower clipart have hundreds if not thousands of uses.

The Internet is a treasure throve of baby shower clipart ready for you to download. There are literally thousands of available baby shower clipart on the World Wide Web. You wouldn’t have a hard time finding them.

And whatever baby shower you are planning to do, for sure there is a baby shower clipart that is appropriate for it. That’s because there is a very wide category of baby shower clipart which contains different styles and designs that are perfect for any baby shower needs. And it doesn’t matter if the baby is a boy or a girl. For sure there is a baby shower clipart made for specifically for each gender and there are many that are made for both.

The only real rule that you need to remember when using baby shower clipart is to use a single theme all throughout your project. For example, your invitation and thank you notes should match so you must use the same style or design of baby shower clipart when making both.

Another rule is not to clutter your project with too many different baby shower clipart. Doing so would only make your project look messy. You must also pay attention to things like colour, size and format of the baby shower clipart.

You must also learn how to experiment with sizes, colours and themes. Put some clipart together and see what works for you. All you need is a little practice and patience and you’ll soon be creating your baby shower masterpiece.

Save money by using baby shower clipart. You need not spend a fortune on baby shower invitation and favours. All you need is your creativity and some baby shower clipart and you’re ready to make the most memorable baby shower.

Thursday 25 March 2010

All About Your Baby’s Growth And Development

Unlike many of us who struggle to keep up with our work duties during the day and can sit back, watch TV and really relax only during the night your little baby is not governed by the rules of night and day. They will sleep whenever they feel like it, wherever they feel like it, and however long they want to.

On an average, babies sleep close to 17 hours a day. A whopping nine hours more than what we can just about manage. However, unlike us they don’t nap for long stretches of time - most of their sleeping spells extend only up to 2-3 hours. When they do wake up they expect to be fed or changed, and in case you forget to meet those expectations they’ll create a ruckus just to remind you!

To help your baby’s routine get more conventional, in terms of its sleeping/feeding time etc. you can take a number of steps. To make sure he/she learns that night time is the time to sleep and daytime the time to stay up and throw tantrums, put your baby in a room that is too bright during the day to fall asleep in. However, be careful not to put your baby in direct sunlight.

At night either shift your baby to a room that is cool and dark, or use the same room but just curtain it up and switch on the ac to make it cosy enough for baby to fall asleep. You can also put your baby in a sort of routine just to condition him/her to what comes before getting to sleep. Give him/her a warm bath or feed her or play soothing music right before putting him/her to bed every day.

Every child is born with certain reflexes. If you touch his cheek with the tip of your hand or your breast he will turn towards the tip and open his mouth; if you put your finger in his palm he will grasp it etc. These reflexes disappear after the few initial months after his/her birth and are duly replaced by more voluntary actions.

Although a large variety of baby food is available in the market today nothing is as high in nutrients as the mother’s milk. The antidotes found in a mother’s milk protect the child against infections and makes his/her immune system stronger.

After birth the baby’s weight undergoes rapid change. Within a matter of six months it becomes twice its birth weight. In the next six months its weight shoots up to around triple the weight at its birth. Once it crosses the one-year mark its growth pattern settles down and continues at a comparatively lower speed. At one years of age any average child is about 30 inches in length and 20 pounds in weight. At two these figures become about 33 and 26 respectively.

At three months of age, your child will love to study faces and try and grasp toys and moving objects of interest hanging over its head. He/she will also respond to voices and sounds and volume. By six months most babies will be able to stand and sit with some assistance. At nine months of age, your baby will be sitting alone and will also be able to pull herself/himself on furniture (provided their strength matches their weight). Their babble will now start taking a concrete shape and fingers will come handy in pointing and of course eating little pieces of food.

By the time your baby is 1 she will probably learn to walk on her own and also crawl up over more difficult terrain, like the stairs or over the crib or play pen. She will also show greater preference for one hand over the other, and will tend to do most of her movements with the preferred hand. They will also learn to recognize faces and thereby be afraid of strangers and will express love and affection.

Games to Play at a Baby Shower

Baby showers can be fun times. It may be one of the last times for the mother-to-be to enjoy a relaxing get together with family and friends. Once the baby arrives, things will be hectic. However, it may also be a somewhat awkward time if her family and friends do not know each other well. One of the best ways to break the ice between everyone is by playing a fun shower game! Baby shower games are generally inexpensive and just require a little planning. Here are a few examples of fun games you can play at the next baby shower you host.

Baby Photos

This is a simple game, but it can get everyone in the "baby" mood. Ask the baby shower attendees to bring a picture of themselves as a baby or toddler. Take each picture and post it on a large piece of poster board, assigning each photo a number. When all the guests have arrived, give each one a nametag so everyone knows everyone's name. Then give each guest a piece of paper and let everyone guess who is who in the baby photos. The person who is able to identify the most baby pictures wins!

Baby Songs

Divide the party into two groups. Assign someone in each group to be the recorder and have them think of as many songs with baby in the title. Set a time limit of 5 minutes. Whichever team is able to list the most songs wins. To add more fun, make the losing team sing a song chosen by the winning team from their list.

Bottle Suckers

Some baby showers have men and women both attend, and this game is great for those types of showers. Fill one 4-ounce baby bottle with juice for each attendee. Have them all drink at once, timing them to see who finishes the fastest. It is good fun to see grownups sucking from a baby bottle. You can even trick the father-to-be by giving him a nipple with a small hole, so it takes him longer to drink the bottle.

Pillow Talk

This one is a little risqué, so if there are older relatives or men in the room, you may want to avoid it. However, if it is just the girls, it is super fun. Do not tell the mother-to-be what is going on, just have someone write down what she says when she opens each gift. Once all the gifts are open, have someone read back what she said, explaining that her comments are "what she said on the night the baby was conceived." It makes for some hilarious innuendos!

Baby Food Tasters

This one gets everyone in the mood for the new little addition. Purchase ten jars of baby food - all different varieties. Print out a sheet that lists each flavour and post it somewhere in the room. Cover the bottom of the jars with foil and print a number on each one. All guests should have a plastic spoon, a paper plate, and a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. Pass around each jar of baby food one at a time and have each guest place a small spoonful of the baby food on their plate. Have them taste it to try to guess what food it is. On their sheet of paper, have guests write down the number from the jar and what flavour that they think they are tasting. Sweet potatoes are usually hard to identify, so you might want to get a jar to try to fool everyone. Be sure to have your camera ready for the faces everyone will make when tasting the baby food.

Mum's Waistline

This one is fun if the mother-to-be is not too sensitive about the size of her ever-expanding waistline. Get a roll of ribbon and ask each guest to pull out as much ribbon as she thinks it will take to cover the mother-to-be's waistline. Cut off the ribbon and try it around the mom's waistline. The guess who comes closest to the actual waist circumference wins.

Test Drive

If it is a pretty day and you plan to have the baby shower outside, this is an entertaining game to play. Set up an obstacle course in the yard, put a doll in the stroller and have each guest run the obstacle course. Time each guest, giving them a 5-second penalty for collisions and a disqualification if the doll falls out of the stroller. Whoever completes the course in the fastest time wins.

Many entertaining games can be played at a baby shower. Just be sure to bring the camera to record all the fun for the mother-to-be to enjoy for years to come.

Wednesday 24 March 2010

Free Baby Shower Games - Laughter is all that Matters

Daunting is not the word to use when organising baby shower games because it really can prove to be fun for all involved with the planning. But if not going according to plan then daunting it can be. Shower parties are no ordinary gatherings they are a celebration where more detail and preparation is needed for everything to run smooth.

The host of a baby shower plays a very important role when it comes to making decisions. So careful planning of all activities for on the day will definitely need a considerable amount of thought if perfection is to be achieved.

After planning the food menu/decorations and speeches it is time to think about what games to play. If this occasion is to be a happy joyous fun filled event with guaranteed laughter then a sure way of this happening is to choose the right baby shower party games.

Not all guests participate in the games but the biggest majority do. Activities as such are relevant in livening up the occasion.

Shower ideas for games can be found freely on the internet and the good news is most are free, so definitely worth considering if on a budget. I stress not all free baby shower games is every ones cup of tea.

The downside to free games are the print outs are not quite as eye catching as the games you would find on the shelves down at your local store. At the end of the day it is a game and it is free.

It would be worth talking to the mother-to-be to see if she has any objection to using free baby shower games.

Depending on your guests, unattractive print outs may not be an issue as long as the concept of the game produces fun and laughter. If impressing is first and foremost in your mind then stick with the professionally devised games because free baby shower games normally lack class materials. It is best you choose another option if you are out to impress.

What you have to remember is you only get what you pay for meaning, if you have found a shower game for free then do not be surprised if no artistic measures have been taken to make the presentation look good. If you decide that these type of games are not for your baby shower event then you will find a wide variety of good quality ones in the shops.

Baby shower games don’t have to look good to give of laughter to all those who participate as long as they disperse pleasure that is all that matters. Think back to your childhood days and the games you enjoyed playing that left you with memories of hilarious moments.

Bring back those moments and share them with your guests. Play the fool if need be. If it gets laughs then do it.

Finding The Perfect Baby Gift

A new bundle of joy has just entered into your best friend’s world, and you want to find the perfect present for the perfect baby. If you walk into any department store you will be overwhelmed by all of the options, and may want to purchase the whole store. But take a step back and think what you would like if you just had your first baby.

Classic Gifts

Simple Presents are always the best. A memorable gift like a baby’s first china bowl and plate, there are many memorable designs such as Beatrix Potter, by Royal Dolton. This classic present never goes out of style, and is something everyone will cherish for a lifetime. In fact, many people pass these precious dishes down from family member to family member for generations to come. Engraved Gifts also make lovely Baby Keepsakes, such as Money Boxes, Personalised Albu,s and Photo Frames

A Basket Full of Practicality

A basket full of necessities for the baby will always come in handy for the new mum, from baby nappies to baby spoons and blankets. A simple basket of baby goods is a practical way to welcome a new born into this world, and will save mum a few trip’s to the supermarket.

Sleeper’s in Different Sizes

If mum needs one thing for her new baby its sleeper’s in various sizes. Baby’s grow quickly and do not remain in their infant size clothing for too long. They are always in need of new sleep suits. And if there is one thing babies like to do in their early beginnings it is to sleep. Sleepers are the perfect present for any mum who knows she will have a fast growing baby, and no time to sleep.

Gifts from the Warmth of Your Heart

A gift of homemade goodies is always a great baby gift for new mums. No mother wants to cook after they have just given birth and been released from the hospital. A homemade casserole is the perfect way to show you care, and is a fantastic present for the sleep deprived mum who no longer has time to comb her hair.

The Gift of Time

Another fantastic baby gift is the gift of time. Give the new mum a break - it is always appreciated and welcome. Mum and dad would both be elated to have a couple of hours of time to get away. Plus, you get to spend some alone time with a new bundle of joy, and bond with its delightful smile.

All that Matters is You Care

Baby gifts don’t need to be expensive or luxurious but they should show you care. And a little thought goes a long way in finding the perfect baby gift. New mums will appreciate the time you took in spending to find, or create the perfect gift for the new loved one in their life.

Finding the perfect gift is easy - all you need is little imagination, a little creativity, and a little use of your own time. To welcome the newest edition into your friends or families life, an original baby gift will show how much you truly care.

Essential Supplies for your New Baby

As every parent has surely discovered, you are never quite prepared for the arrival of your new baby. No matter how much time and effort you might put into preparing yourselves and your home for your new arrival, there are always a few things that tend to get overlooked. This is not without good reason, mind you. It is such a wonderfully exciting time for expectant parents, so naturally you are going to be less focused on trivial day-to-day matters. For all of the expectant parents out there, this article is for you!

The nursery is the first place to start when you are preparing your home for your new baby. The crib is likely the first major piece of furniture you will purchase for your child. Be sure that the crib you purchase meets all of the mandatory and voluntary safety guidelines. You will also want to invest in a quality crib mattress, as your baby will be spending upwards of 70% of his or her first year on it. Bedding is another consideration, and very much a matter of personal preference. Just don't forget to pick up a mattress cover! A changing table is another option, but not entirely necessary. Alternately, a baby monitor is an absolute must-have for your child's nursery.

The next area to focus your attention on is that of baby supplies. While most people have a reasonable idea of what their children's needs are, it is a good idea to pause and reflect every so often. Baby supplies are very popular, and there are so many choices to make. Be sure you purchase mild baby soap and shampoo, as chemicals and fragrances can have a terrible impact on a baby's fresh skin. A high quality, all-natural, moisturizer should also be used. Some parents are keen on using baby powder to help keep their baby's bottom dry. Try to find a baby powder that does not have a talcum powder base. It can be terribly dangerous if inhaled, so be on the lookout for one with a cornstarch base.

After all of the necessary supplies and furniture have been secured, it is time to think about fun and entertainment for your baby. While the world itself will provide hours of fun and discovery for your child, certain toys and playthings can considerably enhance their experiences. A mobile is an excellent toy for new babies, as they spend a lot of time in their crib at that age. Some soft, fluffy toys are also nice, especially if they are designed to provide some sensory stimulation of some sort. Teething toys are an absolute necessity as your child grows older. There are some wonderful toys on the market for young children, just be sure to consult the consumer reports for information about recalls and other possible dangers associated with children's toys.