Playdates: Laissez-Faire Or Organized Fun?Playdates or "mom dates" as I call them become part of our weekly or even daily routine once we have kids. We want them to interact with others after spending every breathing moment on or next to you. Besides, we need some time too - to get out, share a cuppa with a fellow mama and swap spit up stories and indulge in actual adult conversations.
You might meet at the park to let the kids go wild, brave a group of kids at your own place or you meet at a local kid friendly café (I haven't come across too many in the US, but in London my local Starbucks had a play area and they even made babyccinos). You catch my drift. But then you realize that just letting the kids sit next to each other isn't enough and you take your playdates to a whole new level. You send out Evites, you require RSVPs, you buy snacks and drinks and have an agenda, you may even ask for a donation. I've experienced it all as the playdate guest - I call it it the ULTIMATE PLAYDATE.
I prefer the "laissez-faire"
Blog Posts by Disney Baby
Over the Top? 7 Moms Take Playdates to a New Level
By Disney Baby | Parenting – Fri, May 3, 2013 3:20 PM EDT16 Chic Chevron Nursery Ideas to Modernize Baby's Space
By Disney Baby | At Home – Fri, May 3, 2013 2:40 PM EDTYou've probably seen these whimsical zig-zag patterns: they're everywhere right now! From the soft pastels of spring to the bright hues of summer, chevron patterns are zig-zagging their way into many a nursery. Here are 16 chic chevron nursery ideas to transform your baby's room into a modern, design-forward space! By Keiko Zoll
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Read More »from 16 Chic Chevron Nursery Ideas to Modernize Baby's SpaceIs there anything better than a mom? Now that I have two children of my own, I feel more grateful than ever for my own mother. I spent some time recently looking through the pictures we've taken of our girls and I noticed how rarely I appear in them - I'm almost always the one behind the camera! I need to be better about making sure other people snap pictures of me with my children, since I love looking at the photos I do have of me interacting with them. These quotes about motherhood, some funny, some sweet, really summed up all the different kinds of love I have for my sweet little daughters: By Janssen Bradshaw
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Read More »from 10 Sweet and Funny Quotes About MotherhoodCan Toddlers Be Taught Gratitude? See How This Mom Did It
By Disney Baby | Parenting – Thu, May 2, 2013 2:35 PM EDTMy friend Nikki is the most inspiring mom I know. She is always doing really fun and creative things for her son, Cam. She constantly inspires me to be a better mom myself. Earlier this year she started a "Gratitude Board" for her son and has been documenting it online and I've just loved the idea. I asked her if she'd mind me sharing it, because it is so brilliant, and she said yes. Click through to learn, in Nikki's words, all about her gratitude project! By Becka Robinson
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Read More »from Can Toddlers Be Taught Gratitude? See How This Mom Did ItUp, Up, and Away! 10 Creative Ideas for a Hot Air Balloon Themed Baby Shower
By Disney Baby | Parenting – Wed, May 1, 2013 3:11 PM EDTPlanning an upcoming party for your expecting friend? Make sure you check out this adorable Hot Air Balloon baby shower. When I saw it on Fabric Paper Glue, I knew I had to share it with you here. Mandy put together the sweetest celebration for her soon-to-be-mama friend. Everything was done with such detail - from the invites and decor to the gifts and food. You will love it! By Lacy Stroessner
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Read More »from Up, Up, and Away! 10 Creative Ideas for a Hot Air Balloon Themed Baby Shower
Read More »from Baby Bonding: 5 Tips for Newborn Massage
10 Benefits And Techniques for Massaging Your BabyOne thing is for sure, I can't stop holding, cuddling and kissing my newborn! My sweet girl will be three months this week and she is all giggles and smiles. I make sure to spend quality time with her, especially when M is busy playing and there is less chance of him being jealous. After her morning, bath time is especially my favorite because she is warm, smells divine and it's the perfect time to give her a massage!
When M was born, my doctor suggested I take him to a baby massage class. I just stared at her blankly - I didn't know there were classes for that. However, I did end up going and aside from learning the benefits of massaging your baby I also made some great mama friends!
Massaging your baby is great way to bond, it soothes them and the fact is they need and love to be caressed. Most of it is instinctual, so just go with the flow! I use Aveeno Baby Lotion or my own homemade lotion but in the classes we also used olive oil (a bit too messy for me!)
Here are five ways to15 Things that Caught Me Off-guard as a Second-time Mom
By Disney Baby | Parenting – Tue, Apr 30, 2013 3:13 PM EDT
Second Time Mommy"I got this" I kept saying to myself when nearing my due date with my second baby.
I already knew about all the sleep I wouldn't get, the poopy diapers I would have to battle, the loud late night crying I would have to endure and the day-to-day hardships of managing the home and taking care of a newborn. Except this time, there was a 4-year-old added to the mix - and THAT scared me. How would I manage it all?
Naturally it was tough in the beginning and I'm still finding my way, but what surprised me most of all is that despite knowing what was coming, I had actually forgotten what being a mommy of a newborn was really like. Oh my my - what a shock to the system!
Related: 9 moments that made me fall in love with my baby
Here are few things that had slipped my mind:- Babies are small - very small.
- Babies have a kung fu grip - hair must be pulled back and forget wearing any jewelry.
- You and the baby smell musty and milky - all of the time.
- They cry. Loudly.
- They want
All that Glitters: The Popular DIY Toy That's Got Moms Talking
By Disney Baby | Parenting – Tue, Apr 30, 2013 2:34 PM EDT
Read More »from All that Glitters: The Popular DIY Toy That's Got Moms Talking
DIY Sensory BottlesIt seems like our son has just blossomed in the last few months. His speech and comprehension and his excitement and his imagination have all just exploded and he's becoming more and more like a little person every day! It has opened up a lot of fun opportunities for creative play that up until this point he just wasn't big enough for. I found a lot of people talking about sensory bottles and decided to try my hand at making some at home. They have been SUCH A HIT with our 15-month-old that I just had to share their brilliance with you today! Try it out and let me know what you think!
How to Make DIY Sensory Bottles for Creative Play
These are so easy to make and so much fun to play with. Read through for instructions and photos on how to make these for your own little ones!
Ocean Sensory Bottle
Ocean Sensory Bottle
I called this one the "Ocean Bottle" because when you tilt it back and forth it looks like waves in the ocean.
Supplies:
Plastic bottle with lid, 3/4 full of water
Food coloring
Glitter10 of the Sweetest (and Funniest!) Quotes About Sisters
By Disney Baby | Parenting – Mon, Apr 29, 2013 2:06 PM EDTI've mentioned before that I am the oldest of three girls (I also have two brothers). So, when I found that I was having a second girl, I was thrilled because I know first-hand what a joy having a sister usually is. In just the past three months, it's been delightful to watch my daughters become little friends. Ella is always the first to worry if Ani begins to cry, and no one is the focus of more interest to Ani than her big sister. Seeing them giggle together or Ella singing Ani a little song just makes my heart want to explode. I'm so happy they have each other.
I've collected here a few of my favorite quotes about sisterhood - the good, the bad, and the funny! By Janssen Bradshaw
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Read More »from 10 of the Sweetest (and Funniest!) Quotes About SistersPregnant and Panicked? De-stress with These 7 Mindful Mantras
By Disney Baby | Parenting – Mon, Apr 29, 2013 2:06 PM EDT
Read More »from Pregnant and Panicked? De-stress with These 7 Mindful Mantras
7 Mindful Mantras for Moms-to-beWith just 9 weeks to go in my pregnancy, the whole "I'm going to be a Mom!" reality has really started to kick in for me. When I'm not obsessively organizing the kitchen (again) or stocking up on onesies and diapers, sometimes that new mom reality hits me full force. It can be a little stressful during this home stretch as we scramble to get everything just-so for baby once he gets here. That's why it's important for me to slow down, relax and remember to breathe. Feeling stressed? Try repeating these these calming, mindful mantras for the mom-to-be.
1. I am whole, I am perfect, I am strong.
A mantra for any woman, this reminds me that my body was engineered to take on this momentous task of pregnancy and birth.
2. One more day closer to holding you.
When I start to feel like I've been pregnant forever, I remind myself that every day that passes is another day that brings me closer to meeting and holding my baby for the very first time.
3. My belly is a thing of beauty!
Sometimes I
