Even though a healthy and happy baby is the best present a new Mom can ask for, you will also want to commemorate this occasion by handing over an extra special gift. But seeing as there is an abundance of different things a little bundle of joy could benefit from, picking the right option can be tricky. So, with this in mind, here is a quick look at some baby present ideas, and what you should consider before making a purchase.

Baby clothes

Despite the fact that infants grow at an incredible rate, this is all the more reason to buy baby clothes. Any Mom will appreciate receiving a cute dress or adorable baby grow, as long as they tick the right boxes. First of all, you should always pick organic materials such as 100 percent combed cotton, as a baby’s skin is very sensitive. Choose clothes that are easy to put on and remove too, such as trousers with an elastic waist. Finally, avoid the cliché of choosing pink for girls or dressing a boy in nothing but blue. Have fun with color and look for pretty patterns or prints. You can find plenty of baby girl clothes at Tesco as well as many options for your little man.


Bedding and blankets

Not only a handy and practical present, bedding and blankets can also be very personal. Every time Mom puts the baby to sleep, she will be reminded of this special sentiment. What’s more, these two items can be equally important in a child’s development. Babies need plenty of peaceful sleep in order to grow, while security blankets provide some much-needed comfort. As with clothes, be careful with your choice of material. Although all babies are different, several like the sensation of touching silk blankets and fleece bedding.


Diapers

This gift idea might not be overly unique or even live long in the memory, but you will struggle to find a Mom that won’t be appreciative of receiving diapers as a present. Nearly every Mom underestimates just how many diapers their child will go through and how much it can end up costing too. For these reasons, it makes a lot of sense to opt for practicality over sentiment. If you still want to add a personal touch, think about purchasing some decorative storage for all those diapers as well.
When you browse for baby presents, it will be tempting to buy something like a lovable cuddly toy. The only problem is these tend to be quite popular, and not that practical either. So, if you want to get the perfect baby gift, choose something that will come in handy, but will also bring joy to both mother and child.

What gift do you usually buy for a new mom and her baby? 

For those of you who are brand new to my little part of the internet or the blogosphere as I like to call it, I am going to tell you this. We are city dwellers originating from Brooklyn, New York. It doesn't get any more city than that. The closest we've come to farm country has been living here in Colorado and even that doesn't come quite close. When Maximum Games offered to send their newest game Farming Simulator 15 which debuted on May 19th, my son was ecstatic. Farming Simulator 15 is currently available for the following gaming platforms. Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3 and PC. It is rated E for Everyone so for you parents out there who worry about the language in video games these days, no need to worry.

The past week has been a bit hectic for us despite all the rain that we have been getting here in our mountainous city. While I don't mind the rain, I prefer having sunshine. My toddler has been cooped up indoors and it's driving both of us crazy. She's an outdoor child and even when it rains she loves running around (in raingear of course) and having fun. In other news, we move into a new home in a few days and the excitement has been building for all of us. This year has seen a lot of changes and we all hear that everything happens for a reason and although it may not seem that way at times, I'm starting to realize that they really do. With all of our running around I've had to skip breakfast at times, luckily for me I'm still on my smoothie kick. We've been enjoying making delicious smoothies with what's been available in the supermarkets. One of those fruits that is in abundance has been cherries. You can't go to your local supermarket without seeing them. Today I want to share with you our Cherry Vanilla & Almond Smoothie that I just know that you're going to love. I'm allergic to nuts but my kids swear that this is super delicious. I think it is without the almonds and for those who are allergic like I am, you can totally just make this a Cherry Vanilla smoothie. Whichever way you decide to make it, you're going to love it!


*Makes one smoothie

I grew up originally on a Caribbean island where there was nothing but sunshine, sea, and sand. Every weekend we would walk to the beach and either laze about on the sand or actually go swimming. I remember those days vividly and the way that my father taught me to swim. Not the most flawless of ways but it did work. With this being Memorial Day and as most people like to say "the start of Summer", most families will be taking their kids to the pool and the beach. Although not every parent signs their child up for swim lessons, there are some very good reasons to do so. Swim lessons can help your child build up confidence while they’re in the water. If you’re ready to help your child take swim lessons, you will appreciate these seven reasons why it’s a good idea.



Safety in the pool - Swim lessons help to teach major safety within a pool. Not only are swim lessons teaching a child how to swim, but they are also teaching them how to be super safe in the pool.

Adjustment to water - Not every child learns how to swim during their first few weeks in the water. However, children learn to adjust to the water the more time they spend inside of it. Kids who spend more time in water are less likely to be afraid of it as time goes on.

Swimming is great exercise - Almost every parent is looking for ways to get their child more involved in physical exercise and that’s where swimming comes in. Swimming is a great way to get your child moving and grooving during those summer months.

Save your child’s life - If we’re being honest, we know that accidents happen around water all the time. It’s important that your child learns how to swim, just in case they are faced with issues in the water. Accidents happen in a matter of seconds and experience in the water can help make important decisions quickly.


You’re never too young for swim lessons - Some parents are mistaken that their children are too young for swim lessons, however, this isn’t true. You’re never too young for swim lessons and the sooner you start, the better!

Summer routine - If you’re looking for something to get your children involved in this summer, swimming is the perfect activity. Lessons are consistent, which means you can get into a summer routine and keep the kids busy!

For the experience - There are some parents who sign their child up every summer for swim lessons. The experience a child gets from taking swim lessons is irreplaceable. It’s worth every dime spent because your child is going to learn something at every lesson.

Swim lessons are typically available at the local YMCA branch, a local pool, or even a local swim school. Search for rates that match your budget and go from there. There is hardly a parent that has ever regretted getting their child swim lessons.

Would your child be swimming this summer? Have you thought of swim lessons? 

It is officially spring and with spring comes spring showers. In our case here in Colorado, we've had spring thunderstorms. We have been having rain consistently for the past three weeks with no end in sight. As a matter of fact after checking our 10 day extended weather forecast there is, you guessed it, rain in our immediate future. While I prefer spring over winter, I do like to have a bit of rainfall every once in a while. After all it's the season that is just made for puddle jumping and you can't have puddles without rain. Speaking of rain, you've also have to most definitely have your raingear in order and Western Chief has you covered. Not only do they have raingear for boys and girls but they also have for women and men too. Here's a little warning for you though, be sure to order a size down in your favorite boots because they do tend to run larger than normal sizing.

I'm not a morning person, although I've been getting up as early as 4am even though I'm retired and no longer have to. It's a habit I learned while being in the US Army and some habits are hard to break. One of those habits is not having breakfast or sometimes lunch during the day. For those who don't like having breakfast in the morning, even though it's the most important meal, smoothies are a great alternative. I love having them as often as I can, and you'll be surprised to know that you can add not only fruits but veggies as well. It's a great way to get your daily fruit and veggie requirement for the day but please don't use it as a daily substitute. Last week I shared our Creamy Tropical Smoothie which we made with tropical fruits. Today I want to share with you our green coconut smoothie. Don't let the green in the name fool you, this is absolutely delicious and you'll wonder why you never made it before now. Not only will you enjoy it but I can guarantee that the kids will too.


Makes two 9-ounce smoothies

Here is what you'll need:

Memorial Day is right around the corner. What do you have planned? There are plenty of fun things you can do with your family this Memorial Day, including watching a parade, going camping, and even setting up a movie marathon. If you’re not sure what you’ll do this weekend, then get ready to plan your weekend with these fun things to do with your kids on Memorial Day.

We have truly been on an avocado kick for the past few weeks and today I want to share with you our recipe for our Avocado Egg Salad. Having a child who is a vegetarian means that at times we have to have meatless dishes. Avocado is a great substitute for times like this. Not only does it taste good as we've mentioned before when we shared our Tuna Avocado Salad, but avocados are actually pretty good for you as well. If you like Egg Salads, making it with avocados is a great added twist because avocados truly does enhance the taste. Avocados and eggs are items that you can find all year round so there should be no problem getting the ingredients.


Here is what you'll need:

I have been wearing Livie & Luca for years, well actually 3 years since I'm only 3. Mommy found this adorable shoe line online one day and since then there has been no turning back. You may remember our Livie & Luca review we did last year sharing how much we loved them. Nothing since then has changed. Actually our love for the shoe line has only grown more. Not only are Livie & Luca shoes well made but they are perfect for your beginner walkers, your toddlers, preschoolers and even the bigger kids. Livie & Luca have designs not just for girls but boys as well and the sizes range from size 0- 6 months to Size 4 Youth.


Whenever I am asked to recommend a shoe brand to any of my friends or family, Livie & Luca is always on my list. So why do we love and recommend them? Let me share some our reasons.

The quality is amazing! Livie & Luca shoes are made of the softest leather and the styles are just to die for. I've never had a problem with any of my Livie & Luca shoes. I have fairly wide feet and they have always accommodated the width of my feet.


I've never gotten my toes pinched and they are very easy to go on and off. As I mentioned I have had quite a few pairs of Livie & Luca and the styles and designs are so versatile that they can go from the playground to a more formal occasion with ease. The traction on the bottom of my shoes keeps me grounded. Their shoes are also flexible meaning that I can jump, hop, skip, run and do all the activities that I can normally do if I'm barefoot. They move with me. I have jumped around in my Livie & Luca and I've jumped with style. They all have cushioned footbeds for an even more comfortable wear.


I was sent the Livie & Luca Rover which comes available in 2 colors and are unisex which means that your little boy can wear them too. I chose the gray but it is also available in blue. It comes with 2 sets of laces but I decided to use the gray since I thought it would match more of my outfits. Livie & Luca does not skimp on details or material. They only use high quality materials because they care about the development of your little one's feet.




Now this is the Livie & Luca Hopper and mommy purchased these for me for Spring. I just had to share them with you. You may notice that once again it is made of premium leather just like all of their shoes. They do have the traditional laces but also comes with a side zipper which makes it so easy for me to put on and take off all by myself. There's no feeling like feeling independent. I love when I can do things by myself and Livie & Luca makes it so easy for me.





Livie & Luca is a company I love and not only because I love their shoes but because I love their ethics. Every 10% of their online sales go to organizations to help build a better world for children like me. I just love companies that gives back and Livie & Luca is no exception. I bet you already knew that they were going to get my TWO TINY THUMBS UP!

I remember when I first had my daughter then my son. My kids are all 4 years apart except for the youngest who came 8 years after I had my last son. Surprisingly they were all born on a leap year and no it wasn't planned. I've had people ask me that when I tell them. My oldest (my daughter) was pretty easy with everything. She learned her alphabet, her numbers and even potty trained by the time she was a year and a half. My now teenage son was a little bit different. While he's always been good at math it took me some time for him to learn how to do things. One of those was learning how to tell the time. Have you wanted to teach your child to tell time, but you aren’t sure where to start? Well, I have some tips for you for teaching your child to tell time from start to finish.


Numbers are important.

Before your child can tell time, he or she needs to know basic numbers up to 60. They will need to know how to count by ones but also how to count by fives. Of course, this is going to depend on what clock you plan on teaching your child to tell time from. Digital clocks do not require someone to be able to count by fives.

Get a clock that’s large enough.

It’s hard to teach numbers on the clock when you have a tiny clock. In order to teach your child how to tell time, make sure you get a clock that’s large enough. You can look on Amazon, eBay, or even a local store for a clock that has big hands. If you’re teaching your child about telling time on a digital clock, you will want a digital clock with big numbers.

Help your child know what the minute hand is.

To help your child properly learn how to tell time, it’s best to get a clock that has a larger minute hand than the hour hand. Also, it’s important to show your child where the minute “place” is on a digital clock. Show your child what the minute hand means on the clock when you’re reading it. Practice counting as the minute hand ticks around the clock.


Help your child understand what an hour hand is.

The hour hand is probably one of the easiest things to read on a clock. It has one purpose and that’s to show what hour of the day it is. After your child has mastered learning what the hour and minute hands are they can begin to learn the basics of time-telling.

Counting by Fives

Earlier, I mentioned the importance of learning to count by fives (some kids do better by learning how to multiply by 5’s). When you’re looking at a clock and trying to tell what time it is in minutes, your child will have to know that 1 means (5 minutes) and 2 means (10 minutes) and so on all the way to 12.

Practice!

Learning to tell time is really all about “practicing.” It’s easy for adults to tell time because we’ve been telling time for so many years. After all, practice makes perfect. Be patient with your child as they learn this hard concept and eventually they'll be telling time like a pro.

What are some tips you have for teaching your child to tell time?

There’s probably not anything more embarrassing than taking your child out to eat and they’re all over the place with their table manners. Trust me I've had it happen to me and it still does happen at times. While my 3-year-old isn't as bad, it's my 10 and sometimes even my 14-year old that embarrasses me more than the toddler.

I remember once taking my kids to Applebees and my 10-year-old was probably about 7 at the time, but even now I have to remind him to eat with his mouth closed. They also love talking at the table while eating and I'm surprised one of them hasn't choked on their food as yet. We do however have to remember that it takes time for kids to learn the ins and outs of manners, but it’s our job to teach them. Check out these 7 tips for teaching your child about table manners.

#1. Model Proper Behavior

Just because we’re adults, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t model proper table manners for your child. Children learn by seeing and they’re watching you very closely at the dinner table. I know as a parent I tell my children, "do as I say and not as I do", but it really doesn't work that way and if you do the right thing, they will also mirror and do the right thing too.

#2. Be Realistic

Your child isn’t going to be perfect at the dinner table. You don’t want to give them so many rules for “manners” that they shut down and don’t even want to sit at the table. My best advice is to be realistic about their table manners, and be realistic about what is to be expected at certain ages. Don't expect your toddler to be able to do the same thing as your teenager.

#3. Utensil Use

By the age of three or four, your child will have no problem using a fork or spoon properly. It’s okay to sit down and teach them how to hold a fork and how to put the food in their mouth with a fork (same with a spoon).

#4. Mouth Closed

One of the biggest table manners for children to know is how to chew with their mouth closed. Obviously, a 2 or 3-year-old might struggle with this, but you can gently remind them. As the child gets older, chewing with their mouth opened becomes a huge NO.

#5. Talking at Dinner Time

There are some families out there who prefer to not talk about their day at the table and that’s okay. However, having a basic dinner time conversation is more than okay. Asking how a person’s day went and then proceeding to talk about it is a very polite thing to do. Go over what a child should not do at the table (sitting on their knees, standing up, whining, crying, or talking over others).

#6. How to Set the Table

If you’re looking for a way for your child to get involved in the dinner process, then teach them how to set the table. This will help them feel more involved in the “dinner making” process, which may result in them having better behavior at the dinner table.

#7. Putting Their Own Dishes Away

Table manners are about not using bodily functions, not being loud, and using utensils correctly, but it’s also about the respect you show others. Putting our own dishes in the sink and cleaning up after yourself is a very good table manners to have.

Now, these may take some time with your youngest one but with all things, it takes patience and consistency. Be consistent and it will surely pay off.

What are some ways you teach your child about table manners?

We love avocados in our house, and you'll always find one, or two, or three in our refrigerator. When we aren't making our homemade guacamole, you can find us using avocados in a lot of different meals. Have you ever tried using avocado paste instead of peanut butter? It tastes so much better in my opinion and not just because I'm allergic to peanuts. For those with peanut allergy like me, you may want to give it a try and let me know if you like it. I grew up in the Caribbean where we actually had an avocado tree in our backyard, so it was literally a pick and eat kind of fruit for me, just like mangoes. Today I want to share with you a delicious Tuna Avocado Salad that will knock your socks off. Forget about just regular tuna salad, add a bit of avocado, and you've got an instant hit. Before I share my recipe with you though I do want to share a bit of the health benefits of avocados.

I have been a FabKids subscriber before I became a FabKids Blogger, so when I tell you that I love their clothing I'm not kidding. I have worked with a lot of kids clothing companies and when I believe in a company you will consistently see their products on my site. One of these companies is of course FabKids. I have not only shared them with you my readers but with friends through word of mouth and by phone. So for those who are new and wondering what Fab Kids is all about let me tell you all about them. FabKids was started by a team of parents to empower kids who want to express their individuality through personalized fashions. They have also revolutionalized the shopping experience for moms by making it easy to shop for those said fashions in just one click. You get high quality and reasonably priced fashions for your little one. Your first outfit is only $15 and you can stop delivery any time you want to. It's one of the thing I loved about FabKids.


Since this is Spring season I decided on getting outfits that not only screams Spring but would also be perfect for the summer as well. After all the weather can only get hotter. I live in Colorado where the weather is always a surprise. Think snow in the month of May and hail in the month of July. Yes it's happened.  With the flowers in full bloom and Japanese Cherry Blossoms on hundreds of trees I love the season Spring. Not such a big fan of the rain which we seem to have no end of but compared to snow, I say, Bring on the Rain!


Now the outfits that I received from FabKids were those of my own choosing. I decided on the Pink Princess outfit which you can see in the very first photo. The dress is fitted through the waist and has a flared skirt. The strap is adjustable so I can see me wearing this for a while to come. The back has an elastic stretch and makes it easy to put on and take off. I truly do feel like a princess in it and love twirling around and around and watching the ruffles flare. Your little girl would totally feel all girly in this dress. It is made of 100% cotton and is totally machine washable. Perfect for Spring and Summer weather.


Next I decided on the IKat Heart Outfit. This is a fitted tank dress that fits to right above my knees. It has three tiny buttons on the front to make for an easy opening. I have a big head so I love when I'm able to put my head through it easy. I've never had a problem with the fit of any of my FabKids outfits ever. The material is soft to the touch and soft against my skin. Another problem I've never had is an outfit that is itchy. For those who would prefer to have tagless, that's the only problem with FabKids but you can also cut the tags out.


Now each outfit came complete with tights. I have quite a LOT of FabKids tights and they have been some of the best tights I've ever owned. Some of them are cropped above the ankle while others are knee length. You can actually choose with certain outfits but you can also mix and match. Another thing I love about them. I have washed my FabKids clothing over and over without fear of them not fitting after a wash and dry.


We are talking great quality clothing here! Something you may not have expected from a kid fashion subscription, especially at such a great price of only $29.95/month. Sign up today and get your first outfit for only $15 with free shipping!

Sending your child to preschool is a personal choice that every family must choose for themselves. Personally, now that I am a Stay At Home Mom I have been actively contemplating homeschooling Madison. While I know that she will have more interaction with kids her own age in pre-school, Homeschooling is still something I want to do. I've been reading a lot of homeschooling blogs lately and the joys of homeschooling seem infinite, but I also have to think, do I want to be home 24/7 with a toddler? So let us look into the pros and cons of sending your child to pre-school today if that's something you may want to do.


Pros of Sending Your Child to Preschool

1. Your child gets time to interact with kids his or her age.

2. Your preschooler has time to adjust to being with other adults and children who are different from him or her.

3. Your preschooler is going to learn many academic concepts that will prepare them for kindergarten.

4. Exposure to the alphabet, numbers, and other basic learning concepts.

5. The preschooler will learn how to follow directions of adults.

6. Preschoolers are introduced to different types of sensory environments.

7. They learn to make their own decisions.

8. Preschoolers are able to build and maintain their own relationships and friendships.

9. Children have a chance to “be themselves.” For example: create artwork that expresses their individuality.

10. Introduced to a variety of “worlds” that are not available in a normal home environment.

Cons of Sending Your Child to Preschool

1. Paying a monthly or yearly fee that puts a strain on your family’s budget. I recently checked out a pre-school for Madison and was told that 2 days a week would cost me $175 - OUCH!

2. Spending time commuting to and from preschool. (Most preschoolers only last 2-3 hours in the morning or afternoon).

3. Spending time away from your preschooler for a few hours a week. Actually, I'm thinking this might be a PRO for me but those parents who love having their kids around, this might be a CON.

4. Allowing your child to be influenced by someone other than you or your spouse.

5. Placing your child in an environment that has other children (not every child is well behaved).

For most people, the pros of preschool outweigh the cons. The best part of preschool is that your child gets to learn quite a bit while they’re there. Honestly, some children learn better when they are not trying to pick up concepts from their own parents.

The best thing you can do for your child is to give it a trial run to see if preschool is for them. Some parents put their preschoolers in at the age of 3 and some parents wait until their child is 4. Whenever you decide to put your child in preschool, you can’t go wrong.

If you choose not to put your child in preschool that’s okay too. Some children do perfectly okay not spending time in preschool before kindergarten.

What choice did you make when it came to sending your child to preschool?

This is hopefully going to be short.

We haven't finished with Spring as yet but Summer is almost here. Well it seems that way to us. We've been getting really great weather although we do have our Spring showers. Summer is when it officially becomes smoothie weather, but why wait until summer. Why not get your smoothie fix now? Last year we shared quite a few summer smoothies and this year we'll be doing the same. Smoothies are not only delicious and a great way to get your fruit fix but for those who generally skip breakfast, like I do, getting a glass filled with fruits and veggies is a great way to start your day. Today's recipe is all about the tropics and you can find the ingredients at your local supermarket. I guarantee that you'll love our Creamy Tropical Smoothie.


Makes two 14-ounce smoothies.

Here is what you'll need:

This summer we'll be taking a road trip to Florida. This has been a trip that's been in the making for the past two years. Traveling with kids can be a challenge, especially when you have long distances to travel. You’ll hear the dreaded, “Are we there yet?” and will probably hear your named called more often than you’d like. All of this can be made even more challenging if you or your kids are susceptible to car sickness. To help make your car ride more pleasant, you can use these tips to treat car sickness this vacation.

Today we want to offer my readers a giveaway that is not only classic but also luxurious. Today one of you will win an Angels on my Pillow Classic Collection Wrapbaboo in your choice of color (RV$295) and an Oemi Baby Bag in your choice of color (Grey or Brown RV$295).  It's why we call it luxury.

If there's one thing that is on every new mom's list, it's a baby bag. They are essential because it hold everything that baby needs, from diapers, change of clothing and even extra feeding bottles. I remember when I was pregnant I had a difficult time finding the perfect baby bag. It seemed like all the stores had baby bags that were for just that, baby. The baby bags didn't have that pizzazz that I was looking. I didn't want a bag that screamed, hey look at me, I'm a new mom. I wanted a bag that showed my style and I also wanted a bag that I could use even after my baby had grown up. After all the prices for baby bags aren't that cheap and I would prefer to have something I can use for a few years instead of just one. For moms who think like me you're going to love the Oemi Baby Bag.


The Oemi Baby Bag is most possibly the only baby bag that you will ever need. It's both stylish and functional and the best part is that it doesn't look like a baby bag at all. You'll love the way your Oemi Baby bag arrives protected in it's dust bag. How many of you can say that your baby bag has a dust bag. Actually the only bags I own that does have a dust bag are the ones I paid hundreds of dollars for.


We received the Brown Oemi Baby Bag crafted from beautiful distressed aniline leather. It is also available in Grey for those who want a toned down look, although personally I prefer the brown. They didn't skimp on the material paid attention to every detail from the zipper to the metal hardware detailing. Even the embossed logo speaks of the quality of this bag. There are also protective metal feet to help keep your bag clean in the event of you placing it on the ground.


The Oemi Baby Bag has two exterior pockets that you can use to store snacks for your little ones on a quick run. They are pretty big and you can even place wet bags in them after a day at the park.


The inside of the Oemi Baby Bag is VERY spacious and there are enough pockets to hold everything from extra clothing, sippy cups, bottles, wipes, diapers and even a few extras for mommy. Yes mommies can fit a few books along with some toys that your little ones may need. We are talking pockets galore. It also has a stain resistant interior and even the inside speaks quality.


Included in your bag is a padded deluxe diaper changing pad that is folded and secured by velcro. There is also an adjustable leather shoulder strap for those who would prefer to carry their new bag that way, hands free.


Now if you think that there isn't enough space for you and I can't see you saying that, it is also expandable.


So if you're looking for something functional, practical but still stylish, look no further than the Oemi Baby Bag. Makes a great gift and I guarantee that you'll love it. I wish I had gotten it when my own daughter was born. Would have saved me a lot of money in the long run because I have gone through quite a few bags looking for "the one". Now I no longer have to sacrifice style and I've actually gotten a few compliments and have been asked where I got it from. It is super chic and I have to say "Thank you Oemi Baby", you definitely get our TWO TINY THUMBS UP!




Come back tomorrow for your chance to win an Oemi Baby Bag (RV$295) in your choice of color.