The Perfect Baby Shower Gift

It seems lately everywhere I go I see a woman just about to pop. Even in my own family there is a little one preparing to make her debut. This brings to mind what is the perfect Baby Shower gift? Of course it depends on the mom to be and your budget, but I think there are a few key items that you can always give a new mom. Of course there is the ever popular clothes. Which really who can resist those itty bitty outfits that scream ADORABLE. Parents of a new baby can always use more out fits of varying sizes. The varying sizes is the key. Most people will concentrate on the newborn but you can expand into the bigger sizes. Some babies are born bigger than or quickly grow out of the newborn sizes. There are also the sleepers and onesies that are also so needed. Again vary the sizes. Even if the baby takes awhile to grow there is always a stage the baby seems to have grown over night and suddenly needs bigger clothing before the parents have had time to go buy any. I always try to find a carrier (used or new) these are great gifts. Most parents only know of the store front carry type which can be such a burden to even use but when you show up with a sling or other type in their beautiful colors and with a little description of use. You will be the talk of that household as the new parents learn about all of the hands free benefits a good carrier can bring as well the bonding. Now if you know the mom will be using pacifiers and bottles. It is a great idea to get some pacifier clipies, bottle holders, pacifiers and BPA free bottles. One thing is they will likely miss place a few and will always welcome back ups. Toss in a can or two of formula and you will really get an ooh good idea! Another is these items can be inexpensive and colorful making a big splash with little cost to you. A small kit put together of soaps,lotions, wash cloths, towels, nail clippers, Tylenol,Motrin,gas drops,hair brush and thermometer is always welcomes. If you make this gift yourself in an inexpensive basket with a bow wrapped around not only can you cut the cost but you look like you put so much effort in putting together such a thoughtful gift. Blankets of all types are just as fun as the little outfits. Shopping on internet sites like ETSY and HYENA CART or craft fairs you can find tons of one of a kind baby blankets to give as gifts. Bundle one with a little hat and some receiving blankets. You are sure to a have gift that looks like so much more than what is really there. TIP on this one if you shop on the Internet be sure to make sure you will receive the gift before the shower. Burp rags are another often overlooked item. On these you can buy Gerber cloth diapers ,which are not really very good as cloth diapers but wonderful as burp rags, or you can can find some lovely decorated ones. Do a few of these with some of the other items mentioned as a topper or on their own. They are always needed! There is also all the fun things like little hair bows, baseball caps, tutus, tiny little shoes and socks. These items are always nice to give away even if they are not always needed. They make great props for the many pictures to come. Bundle a few together with an outfit and the parents to be will just be tickled. Of course we have to mention cloth diapers. Even if the mom has said she does not think she will use cloth ( which is just silly in our opinion) one or two still make a great gift. We say this because every parent has run into that situation where baby just used the last diaper and you have nothing to put on the baby because you did not realize it was the last one. JUST CALL THEM DIAPER BACK UP! haha. Just be sure to put them with a package of disposable diapers and wipes. Now if they are on the fence a package with 2 or 3 of you favorite type would make a great trial pack, plus with them being your favorite types you can help explain how to use and care for them. Add with them some of the cloth wipes and wipe solution for little extra ooh and ahh! Hint cloth wipes make great tissues and bath rags so go ahead add a few to any present they will get used! Now there are the big ticket items like strollers, car seats, high chairs, baby beds, swings etc. If you can afford to give them then by all means do. They will never be turned down and the parents to be will be so tickled to get those big items taken care with out having to fork over the cash themselves. Hint : If you want to do this on a budget go in with a few other guests and share the cost, It will still be as loved and squealed over. Also be sure you check their registry so you can get the one they want. Now some little side thoughts if there are siblings toss in a little sometihng for them and when some brownie points with the little ones and the parents. A nice extra is something just for mom and dad, like a night gown and rob for the hospital for mom and a gift card for dad to a place like McDonalds with enoghu for two (This allows him to get some real food to eat for him and to be her hero by sneaking her in something real to). Well good luck on your shopping and have fun!

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Mustang Baby Bazaar

Today was so much fun! We had a booth at the Mustang Baby Bazaar. Visiting with other parents and sharing all of the benefits of cloth diapering was so exciting. We met other great family companies as well. We loved the bows by Krafty Kritters and the Shaklee booth just mention a few. Our resident daddy was there to help out and share why he loves cloth diapers. He was such a huge help and the parent's really responded to hearing what he had to say, especially other daddies. We had young artist accompany us today. We feel her art is on it's way and she tells us she has plans to open a spot on Art's fire. We may start carrying some of her art in our shop too. She is all of 12 but has real love of painting modern abstract art. We are now looking forward to our time at ABC'S Stay-n-Play on Monday Feb.22. After that we will be finding other baby and children events to be at. Also we are now opening up to do online parties!
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Diaper Parties.

We had another successful diaper party. What a fun way to spend time with other mommies. Our parties are set to be a low pressure sale. More of a fun event then a sales meeting. I hate when you have no money and the person who is selling something looks at you like and your order. Then tries to show you some of the *cute* items in their catalog. Of course we want to sale our diapers but not at the expense if someone feeling bad. In today's market cloth diapers really do make sense but not everyone has $18 on hand let alone more. We want it to be fun and exiting and not dreadful either. Now at each party their is the person who has been brought along and has every reason why Cloth Diapering is wrong. I love those people. They actually help open the floor for those who had fears or questions but may have been afraid to ask. They also help to open up the way for me to cover different topics. Oh but the veterans to cloth diapering now some of them at diaper parties can be a bit much. You see cloth diapering is a personal thing and you have to do and use what works for you, but some think their way is the only way or the best way. They are not afraid to tell you about it either. Which can be great the share of ideas but when they start to tell you you are wrong during your presentation then it just becomes rude to everyone. It can scare off newbies. All in all though it is a fun relaxing time with other mommies. Plus with our diaper parties there are lots of goodies to be earned!


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sleepytime

Cloth diapering and bed time can be an issue. Don't dismay though there are lot's of options. You can use pocket diapers and add more padding. You can use a prefold and a wool or fleece cover. You can us an AI2 and use an isert made for the night. I have personally found that a PudderPals Pocket or AI2 with night time padding or inserts along with a fleece cover for any leakage work like a charm and are still breathable for the skin. A neat little trick if you are cosleeping is to line your bed with fleece under the bottom sheet or on top of it to protect your matteress. I personally put fleece on the top and bottom of my sheet and my matteress stays clean and dry, and if I do have a leak ( baby or me) I can pull off the top one and lay back down till it is time to get up. I personally love to co sleep and I have now with 4 kids. Just remember that at night cloth diapering is just the same as in the day, you simply have to find the method and absorbency that works for you and baby. Now go and cloth diaper with out fear.
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Here is PLAN or so I thought....

I was talking to another mom today about CDing. She was saying they had planned on doing cloth but it is so much work and they where just lazy and went back to disposables. That made me wonder, "What was she doing that was so much work?" I hear that phrase a lot though. I must admit I was lazy about it when I first started. I seemed like such a hard thing to do and there is so much information on the net that conflicts that it all became overwhelming. Also I had those tried and trusted disposables on hand. My husband supported me using cloth but still used the the disposables when he changed the baby (turns out it was the Velcro factor for him and now we have velcro dipes for him to use). So we almost gave up then we ran out of disposables and available funds. So cloth is what we had. Cloth is what we did. Turns out it was easier than I had ever imagined. There really is no gross factor when you care for your diapers. Nothing worse than really streaked underwear and we all have seen that (come on admit it). Going out with CDers seemed daunting but really it was not that hard. Just remember a wet bag or you will get wetness and other stuff on your other diapers ( rookie mistake). CDing at night now that took some work and sometimes I have to adjust the absorption but it was not hard either. Honestly my LO would sleep in a wet diaper all night (and has on a rare occasion) if I did not check it at night. You have to just get rid of the seemed ease of disposables and find the routine and type of diaper that works for you. Once you have that you will find it is really not that hard and may even love your diapers. I sure do.




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our little model