Are you shopping for gifts for a new mom this holiday? If so, diaper bags may have crossed your mind once or twice as a great new parent gift idea. The question is, which diaper bag? Or maybe you don’t want to give a diaper bag because they already have one or you know they are getting one. Confused? Don’t worry. We’ve got just what you need. Gift ideas for new moms and dads.
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Have you seen this great new video of a baby dancing to Beyonce’s Single Ladies? If not, check it out below:
Now what do you do when you spot your baby imitating Beyonce? Well, you grab your video camera and tape it. BUt these priceless moments don’t just happen at home. When you’re out and about, make sure you bring your camera or video camera in its trusty camera bag so you can capture these YouTube worthy moments. Who knows? Maybe your little one will be the next big thing.
Yoga is a wonderful, low-impact way to increase flexibility and tone your body. If you’re trying to get your body back to the way it was before kids, it might be wise to investigate yoga and add it to your exercise regimen.
So you’ve certainly heard of yoga, but have you heard about Pulse Yoga? It’s an interesting phenomenon that combines yoga with weights to deliver results. Read more about pulse yoga here: http://www.pulseyoga.com/what-is-pulse-yoga/
Whether you are interested in this new pulse yoga or you prefer traditional yoga or pilates, there are certain accessories that you’ll need to get started. These can include instructional videos, class registration or gym membership, clothing and shoes, water bottle, towel, and, of course, a yoga mat. If you plan on taking a class somewhere, you’ll also need something to carry your yoga mat in. A popular choice is a duffel bag or gym bag, but yoga bags are specially designed to protect your mat and some are even quite stylish. Just take a look at a few of my favorite yoga bags below:
 LeSportsac Lotus |
 Crescent Moon St. Tropez |
 Dragonfly Embroidered Bag |
 Shrimp Yoga Yoga Bag |
With just a few weeks until school starts, you know it’s coming. You can run, but you sure can’t hide. The time has come to face the school-shopping feeding-frenzy yet again.
And of course, just in time for all of the last- minute shoppers out there, all the stores conveniently have a wide array of flashy options your middle-schooler will be “in love” with and decide they MUST have to not be a “loser” this fall.
After going through a few different stores she found a few styles that would be “awesome Mom!” But with the cost of all the binders, pens, new jeans, etc. your wallet isn’t exactly agreeing.
Well, thankfully we’ve found a few stylish alternatives that won’t leave your budget in shambles. For your little skater-chick there’s the Roxy Rosarito, with its edgy take on old-school plaid. For the sports-princess there’s always the Adidas Caine Sling which breaks the mold with a one-shoulder design and a splash of bright pink.
And for the girl looking for sleek style with a feminine touch, there’s always the Columbia Precious Cargo Backpack.
Shopping for your growing “young man” as he heads into high school? Give the snowboarder-style inspired Quiksilver Schoolie a try.
Or maybe your student was having some issues with back pain thanks to textbook-enthusiast teachers? The Columbia Shield Titanium Cyberpack is ready to help balance out their load with additional support straps at the shoulders and the hips. And for the athlete who’s always on-the-go the Nike Team Training XL will keep up with him as he jets between class and practice.
The rainy season is slowly ebbing away and the sun is prepared to dominate blue skies once more. And as the smell of freshly mowed grass seeps into the air, the time for the family picnic approaches. Aside from a comfy picnic blanket large enough for the whole family, you may find yourself in need of some new and sturdy picnic material.
Depending on your style and the personality of your family, you may find some picnic baskets and sets better off for you than others.
The more common sets are built to accomadate two people, making for a romantic scene for you and your loved one. You 
Or you can go for something more romantic and old-fashioned. Eco Natural makes lovely hand-woven picnic baskets with a sense of nostalgia. One of their 
Eco-Friendly also provides family sized baskets at a slightly greater cost. But always based on an environmentally friendly ideal .
So regardless of the occasion, or of the family size, there’s always a picnic basket for your summer outing. Grab a nice blanket and a beautiful day and head out there with your new found picnic basket companion.
Starting around springtime the invitations start to trickle in, the vellum paper invites beckon and it’s time to go check out the bridal registry. That’s right, it’s wedding season, which means a day of escaping Gerber mashed peas, lacrosse practice and letting the caterers do the cooking. Before you know it you’ll be fixing your hair and heading off to witness the “happiest day” of your dear friends’ lives.
The babysitter’s on her way, but as you zip up that cute little cocktail dress you realize you forgot something to keep your phone, keys and lipstick in. Something big enough to keep the necessities, small enough to carry with you through the day and cute enough to complete your outfit. Not to worry, we’ve got you covered! Looking for something metallic to add a bit of shine to your ensemble? How about a splash of color? If you’re feeling breezy here’s another option… And of course, there’s always the classic black, the handbag’s version of the LBD!
Depending on where you are going or how long you will be out, there are quite a few items to remember when packing diaper bags. Here are just a few basics that you may or may not have thought of. There are the obvious ones: diapers, baby wipes, formula and bottles, an extra set of clothes, diaper ointment, and a changing pad or burp cloth. Other items might include blankets, nursing pads if breastfeeding, one or two bibs, a pacifier or teether, a couple of plastic bags for dirty diapers or clothes, and antibacterial hand cleaner.
One thing you might not think of is sunscreen, which is very important as a baby’s skin is especially vulnerable to UV rays. Even if you are just going outside for a quick walk, remember to apply sunscreen! Keeping a disposable camera in your diaper bag is another item that is great to have for those “If only I had a camera” moments. A compact camera bag is perfect to protect your camera if your bag doesn’t have a padded pocket. It is also good to keep snacks on hand, especially if you have young toddlers.
When shopping for your diaper bag, consider all of the messes and abuse that the bag will take in just a couple of years. Look for fabrics that can be easily cleaned. A great way to get the fabric you love without worrying about getting it ruined is to buy vinyl or faux leather that is easy to wipe down at the end of the day. Or look for a bag with a clear plastic covering that will serve as a protective and cleanable layer.
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Young children are typically thrilled with bright, fun, and colorful luggage. Exuberant colors are also useful for keeping track of your child and his or her bags. Kids luggage should also be the right size, as a small child cannot lug an overloaded piece of luggage very far.
Skyway makes a wheeled backpack for kids that can be turned into regular backpacks with an extra adjustable strap. Having alternative carrying options makes traveling the most comfortable, without putting too much strain on one part of the body. Also, consider the mode in which you will be traveling. If you are going on a short trip in a car and your child will not be wheeling the luggage, then the size of the suitcase is not as important. However, if you are going on a plane trip with lots of layovers, consider luggage that is extremely easy to transport. Remember that your child’s luggage will most likely take a beating, so it should be both durable and functional.
The Timberland Timber Kids is another option. It is constructed of 1682 Ballistic Nylon and Nubuck leather and is meant to withstand a lot of wear and tear.
It was perhaps one of the most daunting things I have done in my entire life. I took my little girl on a three-hour car trip, just the two of us. I spent weeks before the trip agonizing about how I was going to handle this. My little girl is very active and really loves to be the center of attention. How in the world was I going to pull this off? What would happen if we got lost? Would she scream uncontrollably as I sped down the highway desperate to get to our destination and some peace? How would she handle the fact that I could not turn around to look at her as I drove?
I am happy to report that we survived the trip. We were going to see the Wiggles and I think that helped. She was excited to go. I think if I had been taking her to visit a random relative she might have given me a hard time. Normally I wouldn’t have dreamed of driving that far with her alone, but my husband could not be persuaded to come with us. I’ll be honest; I wasn’t about to miss the Wiggles. So off we went, but not before I did some serious thinking and planning. If you are planning to take your little one in the car for a long stretch here are some tips to help you out.
Prepare
Tell your child where you will be going and how long it will take to get there. Children this age really can’t comprehend units of time yet but let them know they will be in the car for a lot longer than normal. You may want to put a positive spin on the trip by telling them it will be special time to spend together.
As you plan your trip and your timeline, remember that toddlers and preschoolers are unpredictable. Allow many stops for potty breaks and any other emergencies that may crop up en-route to your destination. In the course of three hours I had to stop three times and two of those were planned.
What You Will Need
Your best bet is to dress your child in play clothing until you reach your destination. Chances are good they are going to spill something down the front of themselves during the trip. I’m so glad I remembered to pack extra outfits so my little girl didn’t have to wear her orange juice soaked outfit in to the Wiggles concert. Pack extra everything including shoes. You may want to pack a few plastic grocery bags for any wet clothing you may find yourself removing from your child. Don’t forget diapers and supplies if your child is in diapers.
Remember that the sun can be a direct annoyance to your child. If you don’t already have one, buy a window sunscreen to keep the sun out of their eyes. You may even want to buy one for each of the rear seat windows.
Food and Drink
Most likely your child asks for food every five minutes, I know mine does. I found that having a selection of no-fuss snacks available was my best option. Purchase things such as granola bars, fruit snacks and cheese sticks. You can easily open and hand these back to them without having to take your eyes off the road for more than half a second. If your child is old enough to use a juice box these are a great option. If they are younger you will want to fill up a number of sippy cups so they are ready to just hand over. An absolute must-have for any trip with a child is a supply of wet wipes. These are great for quick clean ups and sticky fingers.
How To Keep Them Occupied
If at all possible try to travel at a time when your child may nap or at night. This will make your trip a lot easier. If this is not possible, make sure you have plenty for them to do in the car. Take along some of your child’s favorite music. You can also play games or ask them to tell you a story about the things they see as you travel down the highway. Choose toys that are small but pose no choking hazard. You may want to buy large baggies and store a few toys in each. That way when they get bored with the toys in their hands, you can hand them a new set. Be careful about giving baggies to younger children though. You may even want to buy a few new toys just for the trip.
Organization
Now that you have everything you need, you need to get organized. You should place everything you may need to hand to your child next to you in the passenger seat of the car. Take a cooler with you and place it on the floor in front of the passenger seat. Use this for your child’s drinks and any food that you may need to keep cool. Keep your directions, maps and cell phone (if you have one) on the passenger seat along with the toys and other food items. Take the CD’s out of their cases and store them above your visor or lay them on the seat. This way everything is within easy reach and you won’t have to search around as you are driving.
In Case of Emergency
We never want to think something bad will happen but you should be prepared. Have a list of emergency numbers in your child’s bag, in your purse or wallet and in the glove compartment. If you don’t already have one, purchase a stocked first aid kit for your car. Make sure you have water, food, flashlight, battery powered radio, batteries and few warm blankets stashed away in your trunk. Be sure your spare is in good condition and that you know how to change a flat tire. You should also purchase paper maps of the state or states you will be traveling through to reach your destination. You may also wish to slip a folding stroller in your trunk in case you have car trouble and need to walk for any distance.
Final Thoughts
If you are traveling more than a few hours you may wish to pull over every two hours and let your child stretch their legs and run around a bit. This may help you avoid a meltdown in the car by an easily-bored child. Try to remain calm despite any traffic hassles or tie ups you may come upon. Your child will be more relaxed if you seem calm. Remember to remain flexible, allow time for just about anything that may pop up and, most importantly, have fun!
Article by Amy Mullen from AssociatedContent.com
