Blog Posts by Babble.com

What's Really the Best Gift for a New Mom?Showering new mothers with gifts of cute onesies, baby shoes and nursery artwork is one of my favorite pastimes. Emphasis on the term 'pastimes.' Because as a new mom myself, I quickly realized that the best thing for a new mom wasn't a thing at all. It was a card sent by a good friend the week Bee was born. The message contained the sweetest, most thoughtful, "exactly-what-I-needed-to-hear-at-the-moment" words:

Dear Erin,

When I became a mother for the first time, I lost a bit of myself. And I mourned that loss. For a while, at least. (I know now that the parts I lost weren't all that important in the grand scheme of things, and I'm a bit happy they've flown the coop.) And while I was celebrating this new life while simultaneously mourning the old, I felt this intense pressure to cling to what used to exist. To maintain the same lifestyle, same friendships, same routine as I did as the childless version of myself. But here's the truth:

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Your next fall trend to follow? Pretty little booties! Ankle booties are a fall must-have this season not only because of its versatility, but how it instantly turns any drab outfit into something more chic! There are so many styles, patterns, textures and fabrics to choose from. Good luck narrowing down which one of these 8 ankle booties you want! - By Liz Stanley

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10 Oversized Totes that Double as Diaper Bags

For those that hate diaper bags (read: me), I am here to help. Here's the thing about diaper bags: they're sort of unnecessary, right? Won't a well-designed over sized purse do the trick just fine? Sure, you don't want cracker crumbs in the lining of your designer handbag. I get that. But good news! Your "diaper bag" doesn't actually have to be a diaper bag. With a bit of creativity, any purse will do the trick. I've taken the guesswork out of shopping and have 10 amazingly stylish options for you -- for every budget and lifestyle! - By Erin Loechner

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If you're stuck in a design rut for your little baby's nursery, head over to Pinterest and truly be inspired! However, it can be bad at times because it makes me want to change our nursery a million times. I am all about the focal point walls and cribs -- not to mention the DIY tips and shared spaces! Here are my favorites from this week, get ready to pin these 7 pretty fabulous nurseries for your next project! - By Casi Densmore-Koon

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The 7 Perks of Sending Your Child to Daycare

When we decided to pull my son from a one-on-one nanny and put him in daycare last year, I had many of the standard fears. Would he settle in? Would he like his teachers? Would his teachers be nice and competent? Would he get sick? What would I do if he hated it? Thankfully, we have had nothing but a wonderful experience with daycare so far. Yes, there are sniffles and that can cause drama over who stays home with the sick kid. But his vocabulary has exploded along with his confidence and play, he's made fantastic new friends, and I never worry when I drop him off in the morning. One of the best parts of my day is hearing how much fun he had when I pick him up in the evening. So here are 7 reasons why daycare is awesome! - By Beth Anne Ballance

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As days get shorter and schedules get tighter, there seems to be less time to spend preparing dinner every night. While you're in the kitchen chopping and simmering, why not make something you can pull into service again one day down the road - transformed into something different the next night or frozen for months, ready to pull out on a cold winter's night when you don't have time to cook? Roast two chickens instead of one, assemble two lasagnas and freeze one for later, or cook extra rice to fry up another day… here are some delicious ways to make your dinner do double duty. - By Julie Van Rosendaal

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Have you ever had the predicament of coming home with your perfect skinny, straight, or preferred style jean and not having any shoes to wear with them? The jeans could be a little too long for the flat or a tad too short for the heel. Change it up and try something new. This dilemma will be a thing of the past once you've learned just what shoes go with the right jeans! Here are 8 tips to help you find the perfect pairing! - By Jacinda Boneau

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I love a great geometric project. Maybe because I wasn't good at other types of math. Or maybe it's the clean lines and often bright colors that accompany the project. In any case, here are 8 of the best geometric DIY tutorials out there. Most of them are super easy to do, so what are you waiting for? Check them out! - By Melanie Blodgett

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