Dec. 21, 2005 -

We are not born all at once, but by bits. The body first, and the spirit later; and the birth and growth of the spirit, in those who are attentive to their own inner life, are slow and exceedingly painful. Our mothers are racked with the pains of our physical birth; we ourselves suffer the longer pains of our spiritual growth.

Dec. 15, 2005 - Teething: What you need to know!

Dec. 5, 2005 - Mt big boy

Cameron is just so sweet... he is finnaly starting to speek im so proud!!! And maybe this is just a mother kinda a thing but i think he is pronoucing the words so much good for hes age... and now i can see that he definitly got after me ...hes eyes and nose... i must stop.... he woke up.. soon im going to writte again...

Aug. 29, 2005 - The park

Cameron just loves to be out in the park! I think it's because he sees so many different people and things... He's so beautiful, I would lie if I told that I don't like to show him to people, I love my baby very much!

It's important to always remember to aply a good sunscreen in your child before leave home, cause their skin is very sensitive. Also, dress him/her with confortable clothes and always be prepared for everything, as all mothers are, actually...

Aug. 10, 2005 - 8 months old!

Now that my baby is 8 months old and already have some teeth, I can give him some table foods that are mashed with a fork in addition to pureed foods. Mashed foods are a little thicker and coarser than pureed foods.

Mash a favorite vegetable or meat with a fork. Use a potato masher for foods like bananas, cooked apples, winter squash, white or sweet potatoes, and carrots. Make sure the food has no big lumps, pieces of skin, seeds or strings.

* Don't add salt, sugar or seasoning to baby foods. Foods that taste bland to an adult are new taste experiences to babies.

* Don't give honey to a baby less than 1 year old. Honey may carry botulism spores that can make babies sick.

* Raw eggs and unpasteurized, or raw milk are not safe for babies; they can cause infections.

* Don't give baby chunky foods such as corn, nuts, popcorn, grapes and round pieces of hot dog. These foods are hard for baby to eat and can cause choking.

That's it... hope you all like these tips :)

Kisses

Jul. 21, 2005 - Baby Gifts

Those are Cameron's favotire toys!

Jun. 2, 2005 - Hush a Bye Baby poem

Hush a bye baby, on the tree top,
When the wind blows the cradle will rock;
When the bow breaks, the cradle will fall,
And down will come baby, cradle and all.

Cameron loves this poem, and so do I!

May. 3, 2005 - Movement & Infants

Besides the fact that they were built to do so, there are a great many reasons why infants need to move. The truth is, even though their movement capabilities are extremely limited when compared with even those of a toddler, movement experiences may be more important for infants than for children of any other age group. And it’s not all about motor development either.

Thanks to new insights in brain research, we now know that early movement experiences are considered essential to the neural stimulation (the “use-it-or-lose-it” principle involved in the keeping or pruning of brain cells ) needed for healthy brain development.

Not long ago, neuroscientists believed that the structure of a human brain was genetically determined at birth. They now realize that although the main “circuits” are “prewired” (for such functions as breathing and the heartbeat), the experiences that fill each child’s days are what actually determine the brain’s ultimate design and the nature and extent of that child’s adult capabilities.

An infant’s brain, it turns out, is chock-full of brain cells (neurons) at birth. (In fact, a one-pound fetus already has 100 billion of them!) Over time, each of these brain cells can form as many as 15,000 connections (synapses) with other brain cells. And it is during the first three years of life that most of these connections are made. Synapses not used often enough are eliminated. On the other hand, those synapses that have been activated by repeated early experiences tend to become permanent. And it appears that physical activity and play during early childhood have a vital role in the sensory and physiological stimulation that results in more synapses.

Neurophysiologist Carla Hannaford, in her excellent book, Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All in Your Head, states: “Physical movement, from earliest infancy and throughout our lives, plays an important role in the creation of nerve cell networks which are actually the essence of learning.”

She then goes on to relate how movement, because it activates the neural wiring throughout the body, makes the entire body — not just the brain — the instrument of learning.

Gross and fine motor skills are learned through repetition as well — both by virtue of being practiced and because repetition lays down patterns in the brain. Although it hasn’t been clearly determined that such early movements as kicking, waving the arms, and rocking on hands and knees are “practice” for later, more advanced motor skills, it’s believed that they are indeed part of a process of neurological maturation needed for the control of motor skills. In other words, these spontaneous actions prepare the child – physically and neurologically – to later perform more complex, voluntary actions.

Then, once the child is performing voluntary actions (for example, rolling over, creeping, and walking), the circle completes itself, as these skills provide both glucose (the brain’s primary source of energy) and blood flow (“food”) to the brain, in all likelihood increasing neuronal connections.

According to Rebecca Anne Bailey and Elsie Carter Burton, authors of The Dynamic Self: Activities to Enhance Infant Development, whenever babies move any part of their bodies, there exists the potential for two different kinds of learning to occur: learning to move and moving to learn.

Still, recent evidence indicates that infants are spending upward of 60 waking hours a week in things – high chairs, carriers, car seats, and the like!

The reasons for this trend are varied. Part of the problem is that more and more infants are being placed in childcare centers, where there may not be enough space to let babies roam the floor. Or, given the number of infants enrolled, there may be little opportunity for caregivers to spend one-on-one time with each baby. This means, in the morning, an infant is typically fed, dressed, and then carried to the automobile, where she’s placed in a car seat. She’s then carried into the childcare center, where she may spend much of her time in a crib or playpen. At the end of the day, she’s picked up, placed again into the car seat, and carried back into the house, where she’s fed, bathed, and put to bed.

Even when parents are home with baby, they seem to be busier than ever these days. Who has time to get on the floor and creep around with a child? Besides, with today’s emphasis on being productive, playing with a baby would seem almost a guilty pleasure! And if the baby seems happy and safe in a seat placed conveniently in front of the TV, in a bouncer hung in a doorway, or cruising about in a walker, then what’s the harm? It’s a win/win situation, isn’t it?

In fact, it isn’t. Being confined (as one colleague says: “containerized”) affects a baby’s personality; they need to be held. It may also have serious consequences for the child’s motor – and cognitive – development.

Other trends in today’s society having an impact on infants’ opportunities to move are the inclination to restrict, rather than encourage, freedom of movement and the misguided belief that early academic instruction will result in superbabies. (In 1999, 770,000 copies of infant software – “lapware” – were sold!)

Humans are meant to move and play. The inclination – the need – is hardwired into them. Babies, in fact, spend nearly half of their waking time – 40% – doing things like kicking, bouncing, and waving their arms. And while it may appear all this activity is just for the sake of moving, it’s important to realize a baby is never “just moving” or “just playing.” Every action extends the child’s development in some way.

May. 1, 2005 - Bebe Sounds - I bought it!!

Apr. 26, 2005 - Bathing

After extensive research and development, a mother working with her pediatrician has developed three easy steps that take the guesswork out of caring for baby's hair and skin.

Many hospitals and pediatricians will warn against using any bodycare products for a new baby because most contain harmful chemicals or are simply unnecessary. Little Forest does not use ingredients such as talcum powder, sodium lauryl sulfate, or mineral oil and does not offer products such as baby perfumes or bubble baths.

Little Forest's Daily Botanicals are pure and simple baby bodycare products that are chemical-free and safe enough to use everyday. By using our Daily Botanicals: 1-2-3 System, parents are assured that baby's hair and skin is cleansed, moisturized and most importantly, protected.

STEP 1: CLEANSE - [Baby Soap] [Baby Shampoo]
Bathing baby is pure and simple using Little Forest's natural products. The products needed for this step are the Daily Botanicals: Baby Soap and the Daily Botanicals: Baby Shampoo. The soap is handcrafted using all vegetable oils, and the shampoo's non-irritating formula matches the pH of baby's tears.

With these two products, baby is cleansed in natural oils, vitamins, evening primrose oil, aloe vera, chamomile, and many other nutritive ingredients so you can be assured you are using the best on your baby.

STEP 2: MOISTURIZE - [Baby Lotion]
Designed to keep baby's skin smooth and silky, this step should be used any time baby needs moisturizing, but especially after bath time. The product needed for this step is the Daily Botanicals: Baby Lotion. It is naturally scented with chamomile and is rich in vitamins A, D and E.

Baby is moisturized with nature's best emollients, evening primrose and avocado oils, and aloe vera.

STEP 3: PROTECT [Baby Barrier Cream] [Baby Powder]
Protect baby against diapers' harmful bacteria. Step 3 is often neglected, leaving baby's delicate skin exposed to diaper rashes. The necessary products for this step are the Daily Botanicals: Baby Barrier Cream and the Daily Botanicals: Baby Powder. The barrier cream is enriched with herbal extracts and vitamins and forms a seal which protects baby's skin from moisture. The powder has been formulated with a base of kaolin clay and rice bran flour. It is a 100% talc-free and cornstarch-free formula which keeps baby bath time fresh all over and ensures that the cream stays on baby and not on the diaper.

Baby Soap 3.65 oz
Perfect for washing baby during bath time or diaper changes, this gentle, ultra-moisturizing bar soap can also be used as an everyday cleanser for the entire family.

Apr. 25, 2005 - Maybe a lullaby will help...

 Baby Mine

Baby mine, don't you cry
Baby mine, dry your eyes
Rest your head close to my heart
Never to part, baby of mine.

Little one when you play
Don't you mind what you say
Leet those eyes sparkle and shine
Never a tear, baby of mine.

If they knew sweet little you
They'd end up loving you too
All those same people who scold you
What they'd give just for
The chance to hold you.

From your head to your toes
Your not much, goodness knows
But your so precious to me
Cute as can be, baby of mine.

Apr. 15, 2005 - Graco TotBlock!

The cute, colorful bug design makes this Graco TotBlock playard extra-fun and festive! Mesh on all four sides with bug toys. 38"" x 38"" square. Sets up in less than one minute. Easy-to-clean printed polyester pad. Easy to store and transport in handy cover. No assembly required. For use by child who is unable to climb out, is less than 34"" tall and weighs less than 30 lbs. Bugs Quilt Pattern.

Apr. 13, 2005 - Sleep problems

Hi!!

well, Cameron was havin sleep problems so I take him to the doctor. Around one third of babies experience excessive disrupted sleep. One common problem is trying to put the baby to bed, but they cry and refuse to settle - sometimes for hours. Another common problem is night-time waking. Young babies have tiny stomachs and need to feed frequently, even during the night. This wouldn't be so much of a problem for exhausted parents if the baby drifted back to sleep straight after a feed, but this isn't always the case... Cameron remain distressed and crying for hours... There are various strategies parents can use to help their baby to sleep better, but nome of them seem to work with my baby!

Apr. 9, 2005 - The Importance of Fathers

by: Rexanne Mancini

There is no doubt that mothers play an all-important leading role in the lives of their children. They are the obvious heroes of child rearing. But what about a father's role? Just how important are the dads of the world compared to the almighty image of mother? My belief is that fathers play just as important a role as mothers. Different, yes. Possibly not as nurturing, not as all-sacrificing but just as important in the developmental and emotional well being of a child.

Dads are the solid foundation of our lives. They are the shore we swim to when our arms and legs feel increasingly tired. They are the strength we rely on as we take our first tentative steps into the world. Dads can be tender, tough, fragile or powerful but they are probably the most uncomplicated love we will ever know.

For daughters, Daddy is the first man they adore ... the first man whose eyes shine with overwhelming amazement when they look at us. He is the first man to fall in love with us.

For sons, Daddy is the idol they first aspire to emulate ... their mirror image of what will be and possibly the only man they will ever feel comfortable loving.

Daddy is the first man who held us, as a loving parent, with a lump in his throat so huge, only the joy of that love could erase the overwhelming pain of choking on unexpected raw emotion. I think when a father holds his newborn baby, he is touched by pure vulnerability for the first time in his adult life, leaving him forever humbled by the unexplained miracles of life.

For mothers, the father of our children is the one person we can trust to watch over our babies as closely as we would. We are secure in the knowledge of their love for our precious offspring. Dad is the only other person in the world as fascinated with every nuance and murmur of our babies. He is the one person on the planet with whom we can indulge our need to brag and carry on about our kid's accomplishments and heartaches ad nauseum ... one who will be just as interested and never yawn in the face of our devotion.

Without dads, we wouldn't be moms. I would like to take the liberty of thanking them from all our hearts for this honor and for being our partners in this business of raising children.

Know how much you are loved and revered, guys! You are our trusted soldiers and we need you more than you will ever realize.

Copyright – 2000-2004- Rexanne Mancini

Apr. 8, 2005 - The Importance of Mothers

by: Rexanne Mancini

Moms, did you ever question your value as a role model, caretaker, administer of hugs and Band-Aids? I think we all have in today's climate of "do more, get more, have more."

Many of us work to bring home a paycheck and others work for our sanity. Have you ever wondered if your children were better off with the baby sitter than you?

Scientific studies are beginning to point to the overwhelming value of a mother's love, hugs and support. Nannies, baby-sitters and relatives are terrific. They just aren't as terrific as Mom.

I have had the best of both worlds, I suspect. I worked a high-powered executive job until my older daughter was two and a half. At a crossroads in my career, I opted to "get pregnant and stay home for a year." Little did I realize I was about to take a ten-year hiatus from my much-loved life.

I didn't get pregnant right away, but, after having spent a year basking in the glow of being Mom, I couldn't bear giving up the care and nurturing of my daughter to another nanny, no matter how wonderful. I think it was the best career move of my life.

Ten years later, I am back in the work force and thriving. Yes, I felt bored much of the time. Yes, our family sacrificed the bigger house, fancier cars and vacations some of our peers were enjoying. But it was a conscious decision to sacrifice for the benefit of our children. We wanted our morals, our ethics and our life lessons to influence our them.

I think moms can work at home, be homemakers or work outside of the home and still be great moms. The most important part of mothering is being there for our children. Maybe your sacrifice is going to work but spending your precious little free time reading your child a bedtime story every night, taking him to the park on Saturdays or chaperoning your daughter's school dance. What matters is our input, the confidence in our roles as mothers, knowing we are the best person for the role and to understand how valuable we are to society.

Pat yourselves on the backs, moms ... you've accomplished a miracle! There is no greater sacrifice on earth, in my opinion, than making the decision to be a parent. Know how important you are. Know that your children need you to be as solid an individual as you can be. Therein lies your strength as a mother, whether you spend the day at home or in an office. We are all exceptional women in our motherhood.

Copyright – 2000-2004- Rexanne Mancini

Mar. 30, 2005 - My precious gift

Cameron is my first child and I'm just so happy and gratefull to have him - He's the cutest little thing, he doesn't give me much trouble cause he's calm and the way he looks at me makes me feel so loved and needed. It's wonderful to be a mom!

Mar. 28, 2005 - Hi people!

I'm Helen and I'm here to let you know what's been happening in the life of my small baby Cameron... He's three months old and I thought it would be a good idea to register moments of  him in this blog. Hope you all like it!