September 29, 2008

Your Toddler Month By Month is a parenting book chock full of information, tips and insight for parents of children ages 12 months to 4 years of age.  It starts with an overview of parenting in and of itself, so that you can objectively evaluate your family’s style of parenting and discipline.With the editor in chief being renowned child expert Dr. Tanya Brown, you know you’re in for some good no nonsense info.

Important points that are touched upon in multiple areas of this book include play, common behaviors, brain development and motor and communication skills, toilet training and more.  These are all supplemented with timelines on what to expect when, as well as pointers for watching out for some warning signs of poor development and even signs of abuse

There’s a section all about managing terrible-two (and three and four!) behavior and how to appropriately reinforce positive behavioral patterns in your child.  I absolutely love this one, because I need all the help I can get.  I’m going to be honest.  I am a pushover of a mother.  Basically, I’ll give in to almost anything to stop littleQ from screaming his lungs out in a closed and maxed out elevator or in the meat section of Waldbaum’s.

All in all I think this book is comprehensive enough to earn a spot on your nightstand or on your bookshelf.  The guide is easy to thumb through by age range, and of course also includes an index that’ll help you get to just the right topic you’re looking for.  A list of parenting resources and organizations is even included in the back of the book, making Your Toddler Month By Montha one stop resource for general parenting information.

Buy this book at Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.com

From the Publisher

In the tradition of DK’s best-selling title, I’m Pregnant, which has sold 200k copies worldwide to date, comes another must-have DK book on how to raise a contented and confident little one. This book taps into the growing demand for child-centered advice on parenting, offering professional information and age-appropriate strategies to help parents deal with all the big toddler issues, from bedtime routines to temper tantrums to mealtime. Its reassuring and personal tone arms parents with an understanding of how their child develops socially, emotionally, and physically in the first four years without ever being preachy or patronizing.

More about and from Dr. Tanya Byron:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanya_Byron
• http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/byronreview/biog.shtml
• http://www.raisingkids.co.uk/fea/fea127_tanya.asp
• http://www.mcvuk.com/interviews/233/Tanya-Byrons-TV-show-The-quotes-in-full

Technorati Tags: Tanya Byron, parenting, parenting book, toddler parenting book, Your Toddler Month by Month, baby, book review, parenting book review

Book Reviews, Education No comments

September 28, 2008

I’m just about to round the 2nd trimester bend, and I’m already feeling that my regular pants and jeans are a little snug around the hip and abdomen area. Luckily I was able to persuade the hubby to take me maternity clothes shopping last week, so I’m set with some pants and jeans that don’t feel like they’re digging creases into my belly.

We went to one of the Destination Maternity locations here on Long Island, and I must say I have fallen in love with their Secret Fit Belly line. It’s available across all their brands: from the affordable yet stylish Motherhood Maternity to the uber chic A Pea in the Pod (where you can get a pair of True Religion jeans maternity style)!

Basically, it’s this super stretchy and breathable fabric panel that replaces the normal belly band. It’s thinner than even the average camisole, so it’s oh so comfortable, and it’s so stretchy it’ll keep you cozy till postpartum. It’s great, because discomfort due to not-so-comfy maternity jeans and pants was one major cause of my prenatal grouchiness towards the world when I was pregnant with littleQ. All the jeans and pants I bought had the Secret Fit Belly panel, so I’m pretty sure I’ll have one less thing to complain about this time around.

They’re seamless and even help to smooth out any little bumps, so that means that at least for now while my bump is still so tiny some people might mistake me for just having one too many tacos for lunch, I can still wear my regular tanks, tees and tops for at least the next month or two. I’m not sure if I’ve ever mentioned this, but I just barely hit the 5’2″ mark, and All THREE Destination Maternity brands (Motherhood, Mimi Maternity and A Pea in the Pod) carry jeans and pants in Petite lengths WITH the Secret Fit Belly panel. It rocks! (Yes that’s me becoming oh so excited over maternity clothes, lol)

From Destination Maternity:

The seamless fabric smoothes out your belly without rubbing and can be worn up or folded down for a customized fit. And, with no seams, you don’t need to worry about holes, rips, or broken seam threads

Other moms love ‘em too.. and have since the Secret Fit Belly came out:

• http://www.pregnancy.org/bulletinboards/showthread.php?t=201541
• http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080731073358AAfAqri
• http://www.themommyplaybook.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51470
• http://talk.sheknows.com/f116/secret-fit-belly-rocks-663094/

Technorati Tags: maternity clothes, prenatal, pregnancy, pregnant, maternity, Destination Maternity, Motherhood, Mimi Maternity, A Pea in the Pod, Secret Fit Belly, comfortable maternity clothing, stylish maternity

A Mama's Life, Clothing Reviews 2 Comments

September 26, 2008

Have you heard of Pillsbury Savorings Flaky Pastry Bites yet?  They’re these scrumptious, delicious puff pastry appetizers that you can find in the frozen foods aisle, and they come in three different varieties: cheese and spinach, buffalo style chicken and mozzarella and pepperoni.  Mmm!

With the holiday season quickly approaching, it’s never too early to start planning how you can cut down on your dinner prep time without sacrificing taste and quality.  Pillsbury Savorings definitely help you do that.  While you’re making the stuffing or baking cookies you won’t have to worry about your appetizer, because you can just pop these babies in the oven 20 minutes before your guests arrive and pair them with a bottle of good wine for a perfect starter.  Another idea would be to have a “girls night in” wine tasting party with all three flavors of Savorings, some good stinky cheese, crackers and your favorite vino.

I’m proud to be giving away two (2) Pillsbury Savoring the Moments wine party prize packs!  Each prize pack contains one coupon for a free box of Savorings, a wine bottle stopper, wine glass charms, a corkscrew, a wine and food guide, stampable wine tags and an appetizer plate.

For a chance to win, click here to enter your information.  Please see the MamaDivas.com privacy policy.  Your information will only be used in conjunction with this giveaway and getting the prize to you, if you happen to be one of the two winners!  The winners will be chosen at random, and in order to be eligible you must have a US mailing address.  Prizes will be sent via regular mail.  The deadline to enter is 11:59pm on October 15, 2008, and winners will be chosen, posted and notified by October 18, 2008.

Good luck!  … and don’t forget to check out Pillsbury.com for some great coupons including $1 off a box of Savorings flaky pastry bites.

Technorati Tags: Pillsbury Savorings, puff pastry appetizers, appetizer, starters, pillsbury, pastry, snack, wine, gift pack, contest, giveaway, free food, coupon

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September 23, 2008

It’s hit us all in one way or another. Over the summer gas prices seemed to spike far higher than the average person ever anticipated, our dollar apparently just isn’t worth as much as we’ve all been used to even just a year or two ago, and with that prices for that which affects everyone and pretty much dictates how the rest of the day will be spent also increased: food.

Anyone who does the grocery shopping has no doubt noticed the climb in weekly costs of maintaining a well stocked pantry and fridge.  Whether it’s that roast, a carton of eggs or that gourmet stinky cheese you like to splurge on, pretty much everything has been affected by the increase in the cost of transport. 

The only choices?  Cut back and be more frugal (Sunday coupons, anyone?) or spend more than you might have originally earmarked in your budget.

It all has balance out in the consumer’s budget somehow.  If the costs of transportation, home heating and food go up, and let’s just say for argument’s sake you haven’t gotten that sweet raise that after tax would keep you blissfully unaffected by any price increases, what do you do?

Are you going to the movies less or buying your kids one less video game this month?  Are you shunning Boar’s Head for Jif?  Are you regretting that non-hybrid turbo charged SUV purchase?  (I’m on the fence on that one because I guiltily admit it’s just so much easier to stuff all our junk in there.)  Are you planning on just cutting back on Christmas and Hanukuh gifts?  (Dollar store wrapping paper sounds good.)  Or… are you just swallowing the cost whole like a surprisingly large and easy to choke on multivitamin?

Technorati Tags: rising food costs, expensive groceries, rising gas price, rising oil price, rising costs, cost of living

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September 20, 2008

What is lusciously chocolaty yet packed with a healthy granola crunch that doesn’t leave you with a toothache?  The Baby Needs Chocolate BellyBar… it seriously satisfies not only your hunger but your cravings for something sweet, all while providing you with a punch of vitamins, minerals and Omega 3 DHA that are good for you and the baby while you’re pregnant and nursing.  But… judging from how good they are, you might want to keep eating them long after your nursing bras go into storage.

I bought myself two varieties the last time I went to Target: Baby Needs Chocolate and Berry Nutty Cravings, and I must say they are both delicious!  Chocolate has a slight edge, though, because that bar has the right combination of chocolate that’s sweet but not too much so, toffee and granola that’s just right.  I don’t like my chocolate bars to taste too sugary, and this hits the nail on the head.  Oh, and whether or not you choose to believe it, my nausea definitely subsides when I eat chocolate or drink chocolate milk… and no that’s not just a lame excuse to get my chocolate fix!

As a full time working mom, I find the individual wrapped bars to be convenient for snacking on the go (or on the job!) without resorting to your run of the mill unhealthy vending machine options.  As an added bonus, I’ve found that littleQ really loves the BellyBar too. It’s healthy and full of DHA for his developing mind, so when he asks for one or when he asks for a bite out of mine I don’t feel guilty giving him a bar, even if he spies it out of the corner of his eye at Destination Maternity and refuses to stop asking for it until it’s paid for, out of the wrapper and in his mouth!  Oh I’m sure the little peanut in my tummy’s enjoying it too

[Gasp!]  While I was browsing the BellyBar site I see that they also have these BellyBar shakes.  I’ll have to get myself some of that, you know, because it’s good for me anyway, and my interest has nothing to do with the fact that I really want to taste it because if it’s anything like it’s predecessor it’ll taste phenomenal.

When I was pregnant with littleQ Ensure had put out that Healthy Mom shake which they soon discontinued.  Now I know that some people didn’t like them but call me crazy I didn’t think they were bad at all.  Considering the amazing flavor and texture combinations put forth with the BellyBar brand’s original product, which surpasses that of the Healthy Mom snack bars of yesteryear tenfold, I have no doubt the shake will kick butt in every way shape and form and will be craved for by even those who are non-preggo, just like the BellyBar itself.  Now I just have to find out who has that in stock right now….

Erm.. Excuse me I get a little obsessed distracted when it comes to foods I love.  You should have seen me the other day when mrQ was a little too slow in getting me my Pad Thai.  Blame it on the hormones!

Technorati Tags: prenatal, granola, bar, granola bar, bellybar, maternity, DHA, pregnancy, pregnant, prenatal nutrition, food for pregnancy

A Mama's Life, Yummy Food No comments

September 18, 2008

The Cradle is looking for the best baby boutique out there, and they’re looking to hear from anyone and everyone who thinks their baby boutique rocks the most!  Whether you’re the owner of the chic yet personal establishment or you’re a loyal customer, the Cradle is looking for your input to put a oh-so-deserving boutique on the map! (and in Pregnancy Magazine!)

The best part is, all eligible feedback (which also counts as an entry!) makes you in the running to win a Celebrity Bump Bag, you know, the ones that get auctioned for thousands at charity events and the ones that are given away at high end events to high profile celebs, courtesy of Jewels and Pinstripes.  So basically, you get to gush about your favorite place to stock up on hip onesies and unique baby announcements and 1st birthday invitations, and you might just win.

To enter and for more information, get to TheCradle.com/bestbabyboutique.  (The giveaway runs until October 10, 2008)

Technorati Tags: best baby boutique, contest, win, celebrity bump bag, jewels and pinstripes, thecradle.com, the cradle, pregnancy, pregnancy magazine

WWW No comments

September 8, 2008

Morning sickness must have been created by the tired, fed up and abused husband of some fire breathing, freeze-you-into-stone-with-my-eyes goddess of aeons ago because he simply was unable to deal with her pregnancy hormone induced tirades against any and all who moved wrong, any longer.

Yep, I’m convinced that this has to be the way it went.  Otherwise, why would the precious gift of life weak such havoc on the vessel who carries, nurtures and nourishes him (or her)? The first time around, this almost constant state of discomfort and gastrointestinal distress began at about 8 weeks along and did not let up until littleQ popped out.  Like a typical mama lion willing to go through anything and everything for her cubs, sure, I’d gladly (ermm..) suffer go through the whole process again, although I’m hoping littleQ#2 doesn’t cause me too much nausea, but it’s started already!

If you haven’t guessed already…. Surprise!  MamaDiva Kristina is expecting her second little miracle in April of 2009!  So watch out for an influx in prenatal- and newborn-geared posts and reviews in addition to my normal blogging as I traverse through pregnancy number 2, and I’ll definitely be putting in my best effort to step up my blogging in general.

Technorati Tags: pregnant, pregnancy, prenatal, newborn, baby, infant, first trimester

A Mama's Life No comments