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These are possibly the truest words ever written.

For all Mothers
(including soon to be Mothers)

We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family." "We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"

"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.

"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."

But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes.  Read More

by Katie Moosbrugger, Triad MOM

Nap time in our house was never a pretty scene. My son Henry was a terrible napper and naps were something he always desperately needed. As a toddler he fought them off miserably. But when the nap won and eventually overtook him, he did not want to let it go. Waking him up was a slow, delicate process that requires lots of cuddling and lots of prodding.

And when the nap didn't win, we'd often get a visit from a little crazy man who was utterly exhausted by dinner time, who demanded snacks constantly (probably to just stay awake), and who ran around the house getting into all kinds of trouble with us and his big sister. Moving from toddler to preschool age, Henry still needed his naps but always resisted the urge. I remember this being one of the more challenging stages as a parent, and also a sad period for our whole family.  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

A new rule about car seats takes effect in 2014, and basically is telling owners of vehicles with the lower anchor "LATCH" system that it may no longer be safe. I have to admit, when I heard about this new rule, I was very confused. Let me net it out for you. (FYI, LATCH = Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children.)

Child-seat makers will be required to instruct parents not to use the lower anchors (federally required in cars since 2001) if children and their car seats have a combined weight of 65 pounds. This is because the strength of the anchors cannot be guaranteed. So, if you have a toddler that weighs 20 lbs and a car seat that weighs 20 lbs, that is a combined weight of 40 lbs, and the LATCH system would be considered the safest option for your child. If you have a young kid who weighs 45 lbs and a 20 lb car seat, the lower anchors would be considered unsafe, and you'd be advised to use your seat belt system to restrain the seat. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

I don't know about you, but I think the time between 12 and 18 months is one of the hardest as a parent. Baby W is 16 months, and constantly frustrated because he knows precisely what he's saying, and can't fathom why we don't.

In my more tired moments, I actually start asking him "WHAT? What is it that you want?" or "USE YOUR WORDS" knowing full well that to him, he is. In my less tired moments, I shove things at him to see if we can figure it out.  Read More

By Allison Carter

This past weekend my baby turned 1.  We are operating under the decision that he is going to be our last and of course I am incredibly nostalgic.  My uterus feels like the girl kicked out of the bar before she had finished her karaoke version of "Like a Virgin" but it is right for our family.  So as I came upon this milestone event I couldn't help but think about how we celebrate 1 here at our house and why it means so much. Read More

By Guest Blogger Christina Shiffler

When I was pregnant with my first child back in 2007, I read book upon book about pregnancy and childbirth. Like so many expectant moms, I became an armchair expert on prenatal nutrition, fetal development, the stages of labor, the risks of a hospital birth, even the history of birth practices in the United States. I spent most of my pregnancy thinking of the newborn period as a rosy afterglow, the time when I would get to pat myself on the back and enjoy the fruits of my labors: an angelic baby girl.

So imagine my surprise, after she was born, when I was suddenly totally overwhelmed by the million difficulties of new mommyhood. Nursing was difficult, sleeping was difficult, keeping my emotions in check was difficult. She cried and cried, she wasn’t gaining weight, she seemed to love everyone more than me! I spent even the best days worrying and feeling certain I was doing everything wrong. I kicked myself for getting so caught up in the pre-baby information while neglecting to even consider what life with a newborn would actually be like. I thought to myself, “I could do the pregnancy/birth thing again and again if only I didn’t have to have a newborn afterwards.”  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

At lunch yesterday, one of my friends was asking for help because her 14-month old has refused to drink any kind of milk at all. No cow's milk, no formula, nothing. She will occasionally refuse other dairy products, and my friend was trying to figure out what to give baby girl to ensure she was getting the right levels of calcium daily. Kelly, this one's for you!

The American Dietetic Association recommends 1300 mg of calcium daily for kids ages 9 - 18, 1000 mg daily for kids ages 4-8, and 700mg daily for kids ages 1-3. This translates roughly into 2-3 daily servings of dairy for toddlers, 4-5 for elementary kids, and 5-7 for teens and tweens. Breast milk or formula is recommended for infants under age 1, whole milk until age 2, and then low-fat milk products from age 3 on. Eight ounces of milk provides 300mg calcium, but what if your child won't drink milk?  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

As summer winds down, let's enjoy some beautiful images from our own local photographers. Leah Charbonneau is today's contributor - see what you think! Read More

By guest blogger Kelly Gunzenhauser

So I thought I was getting off easy when my younger son came along and we were blessed with a child who had the sunniest disposition I have ever seen. He was a content, easy baby. As a two-year-old, he kissed his preschool teachers after they change his diapers and tells everyone who will listen that he loves them. He can get a little feisty with his friends, but he’s usually a piece of cake at home.  Read More

By Guest Blogger Andrea S. Fernandez, MD, Section Head of General Obstetrics and Gynecology and Associate Chief Medical Officer, Wake Forest Baptist Health

Here’s a quick quiz for you: You recently gave birth, and you started having anxiety and heart palpitations. Over time, those symptoms ended—but now you’re experiencing fatigue and weight gain. The experience you’re going through affects 5 percent to 10 percent of women after childbirth. What do you think it is?

If you guessed postpartum depression, you’re wrong.

What the scenario above actually points to is a condition known as postpartum thyroiditis. It is, however, commonly confused with postpartum depression. Fatigue, irritability and unrest are hallmarks of both disorders. Postpartum depression and postpartum thyroiditis also share commonalities in the number of women they affect: postpartum depression can impact nearly 15 percent of women after childbirth; whereas postpartum thyroiditis affects up to 10 percent. Both conditions are often overlooked or blamed on normal hormonal adjustments and sleep schedule changes. Read More

By Guest Blogger Sarah Scott, founder of A Safe Space Playgroup

When I found out I am pregnant with our second child, the first thing I did was tell my husband, the second was to download every pregnancy app I could find. Okay, so maybe that was like number ten on my priority list, but it was definitely imperative that I had the support in place, in addition to finding the right high risk OB. A seasoned pro in pregnancy since my first pregnancy had been a high-risk situation, I wanted to make sure I was not lacking in information or support this time around.

I want to share with you some of the apps I downloaded and help you make an informed decision before you hang your head in shame after buying $30 on apps like I did. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Is there anything that tugs more at your heartstrings than a sick child? Fortunately, we have not had to deal with any major illnesses in our childs' lives thus far. Unfortunately, there is a mean bug that will not get out of our house, and this week, the baby's got it.

When my daughter had this bug last week, she had "the barbies" twice - once at school and once on the way home (in her dad's car, not mine...yessss!!). That was as bad as it got: high fever for a few hours, couple of barfs, and then some quality time with the tylenol, tv remote, and a cold rag on her head. A short 24 hours later and she was bouncing off the walls...and for once, I was happy to see her do it.

This week, it's my son's turn with the virus and he is much smaller. It's scary to see a high fever in a baby, and while I have a decent amount of experience under my belt, there's always the moment when I am holding my sick child and I just well up with tears. It's this moment that I feel 100% parental; I'd do anything to take the hurt away. It's the best and worst feeling in the world, and it always rattles me.  Read More

by guest blogger Brooke Farmer

Recently, I had one of those lovely, unexpected moments where you really feel appreciated for what you do, completely reaffirming your commitment to your job. Going through the mail one evening I recognized the return address for a family that I used to nanny while I was in graduate school in Richmond, VA. Inside was an invitation to the high school graduation for Wes, the young man I had taken care of from the age of nine to eleven. There was also a note from his mom saying that he had specifically asked that I be invited because he knew I would be proud of him for reaching this milestone.  Read More

sponsored blog by Kristen Bagwell

I caught myself the other day watching my daughter from our front porch. The sun was setting over the top of the house, and she was in the sunny patch in the yard that would soon disappear. As ever, she was running...my tiny baby girl - who was born just yesterday, it seems - was racing at top speed across the yard, sunlight pouring over her, yelling for the dog to follow as she flew through the yard. I had several thoughts all at once: Read More

by Heather Burns - mom, blogger, and owner of SmartMomma

As we come upon Earth Day 2012, I am reflecting on what I can do to contribute to a cleaner earth for me and generations to come.  I admit, in the past I have not been the most conscientious re-user, recycler, conservator, etc...  I use plastic bags when I go to the grocery store, my two school-aged boys were reared in disposable diapers when they were babies, I love air conditioning, and probably use it when I could just open the windows (although part of this is due to allergy season), and the list goes on.  I do recycle, but mostly because the city of Raleigh requires me to do it, and they make it pretty easy for me. Read More

by Kimberly Froeschner

A few weeks ago, I shared my thoughts on this topic...Kimberly brings her own perspective to TMOM this morning. Leave a comment and let us know your opinions! ~KB

There's a strange thing going on in our house.  My daughter has picked up on the fact that my husband frequently sleeps in my step-son's room (who is in college) and I sleep in our master bedroom.  She often refers to the rooms as "Mama's room" or "Daddy's room".  Our house is not the only house where this is happening.  Let me explain. Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

When baby number two comes along, everyone’s world changes. Obviously mom and dad have a huge adjustment, but what about baby number one? No matter how old this child may be, it is still somewhat of a slap in the face that there is this new crying ball of dirty diapers in the house.

Someone once told me to imagine your husband sitting down with you one day and saying, “Honey I love you very much, but I have decided to bring one more wife into the house. I will still love you, but I will love this new wife, too. Both of you will now have to share everything and I won’t get to spend as much time with you because I will have to help take care of her.” Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

I have to admit, I am beating Kimberly to the punch with this topic, but only just. Here we go...where do you sleep? At night, I mean. Do you sleep in your own bed? On the couch? In the guest room? In the kids' room? Maybe this is a "parents of younger kids" topic, but I have spoken to a surprising number of moms who say that if they are sleeping in their own bed, it's not with their husband.

Pardon my french, but wth? Read More

By Laurie Albertini, M.D., Brenner Children’s Hospital

If you ask a new parent what they would wish for the most, they will often say “a full night of sleep,” followed by a day with no crying or dirty diapers. In the first two years of life, sleep problems are the most frequent complaints of parents during pediatric office visits, so you are not alone. About 30-50% of infants have enough of a sleep problem to cause parents to seek help, and they can persist into childhood if left untreated. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

When I was in college, I had a boyfriend whose mother would literally chase us around with food from the time we arrived at her house until the time we left. We'd escape and go to his Grandma's, and she'd do the same thing. "What is it with your 'women' cramming food down our throats?" I'd ask him. He called it "selling food" and teased his mom all the time about it. "Quit selling food, Mom...we'd come visit you anyway." I remember thinking, "These people aren't even italian...what's with the mangia-mangia all the time?" As I look back, I see that many moms, aunts, and grandmas have done the same thing along the way. I had always thought that it was a way to show their love. Today, I have a different theory. Read More

by guest blogger Joye Mullis, author of Signs of Life

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Before March 8th, 2009, February 14th didn’t hold any huge significance in my life.  Sure, I enjoyed my hubby’s extra tokens of love, but they were far from necessary.  Since our son’s birth, however, this day for hearts has become a family-centered holiday!

I touched on a bit of our experience last week, and now - on the last day of Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week - I give you the rest of the story… Read More

By Katie Moosbrugger

I witnessed this happening to another couple at a Super Bowl party last weekend...the host & hostess took turns holding my newborn and seemed very tempted to expand their family. (It was very sweet!) While I would like to say that it was my adorable son who prompted this response, the truth is, many of us can identify with this post. Thanks to Katie for putting it "on paper!" ~KB

It hit me like a ton of bricks. First it happened at my son’s preschool. Then again near the YMCA daycare. Both times it made me stop dead in my tracks. Part of me experienced an overwhelming sense of sadness, while another part of me just wanted to savor it. Read More

by guest blogger Joye Mullis

Quick! What’s the most common birth defect?

Cleft lip? No.  Down Syndrome? Nope.  Spina Bifida? Not quite.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) names Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) THE most common type of birth defect in America.

Are you surprised? Read More

by Rachel Hoeing, Triad MOM

I figured if I put "sex" in the title I would grab your attention.  In this post, however, I am referring to "sex" as "gender", as in the gender of your baby.  (But if you really do want to read about sex, we've got some blogs here under our Couples & Marriage category!)

When I was pregnant with my children (almost nine and seven years ago), announcing the gender of the baby was not that big of a deal.  Most people who decided to find out the sex during their ultrasound simply called or emailed friends to tell them the exciting news of pink or blue.  Being the email junkie that I am, I am sure I sent an email to all my buddies with the subject line, "It's A ..."  and then revealed the gender in the text of the email.  Facebook was not around then, but I bet I would have chosen that route if it were! Read More

by guest blogger Shannon Ford

My girlfriend is pregnant with her first child and just asked me about my opinion of swaddling.  She is due in November and was told that swaddling is no longer taught in birthing classes offered at the hospital.

I was enrolled in the classes; however, my son decided to arrive early.  I had Luke on Sunday, and I was scheduled to begin the classes the following Monday.  Needless to say, my money was refunded, and I never had the class.

I had friends on both ends of the spectrum of swaddling opinions.  My girlfriend with two children had sworn by this method in order for her babies to sleep.  Another friend had her first child and swore the baby hated being swaddled, and in addition, she thought it was cruel.  I really had no opinion.  I think I lived in that new mom fantasy world of believing that my baby would sleep regardless of the method I used.  HA! Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

This is going to be one of those "we've all been there" posts, so please indulge my whining for a few minutes. We're nearly 4 weeks into this little "new baby" adventure, and I cannot remember the last time I got any reasonable amount of sleep. It's clearly starting to wear on my nerves. How do I know this for sure? 

Evidence: Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Wordless Weekend is back! Thanks to Kelli Adams for sharing some of her favorites. Enjoy!


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by Kristen Bagwell

Welcome to Wordless Weekend #2! A big thank you to Heather Lauffer and Tamara Lackey Studios. Enjoy!
 Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Well, it's happened, and sooner than I expected - I have to acknowledge that I had no idea what I was getting into with this second baby thing. None. I expected to have these feelings in a few more weeks, but I've already had my little moment:

What was I thinking when I jumped into baby #2-ville?! Read More

by Guest Blogger Devon Davis, LPC

Author John Medina is a brain scientist who is also amazingly adept at writing a book a person of average intelligence can understand! He has written a book for adults entitled Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School in which he discusses 12 ways our brains really work (heʼs a fan of nap time and exercise, to name a few)! He also wrote a book specifically targeted to parents of children ages 0 to 5, because what you do in your childʼs first five years of life “profoundly influences how he or she will behave as an adult.” Sounded pretty important to me, so I read and thoroughly enjoyed Medinaʼs Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five. Read More

by guest blogger Heather Burns

Hello fellow moms and moms-to-be.  I haven’t blogged in a while, but I’ve been so busy running a store and being pregnant, I have forgotten to write.  So just wanted to share some late night thoughts and reflections about life, motherhood, and just being present.

So for those that don’t know, I have two boys, just turned 5 and 8.  Seems crazy to think I have an eight-year old.  I remember moving into this neighborhood when I was pregnant with Dillon.  The neighbors had children from 3 to 9, and I remember thinking how far apart we were in life.  Now I realize we were not so far apart at all.  After having children, your life speeds up exponentially.  Is it because you are busier, and thus time flies?  Or is it because you are older?  I think the former is true. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Honestly, I've been trying to spare you all too many "prego" posts, but as my due date draws closer (just over a week to go), I am more and more desperate to meet this little kicker. I am thrilled to have had a healthy pregnancy, but I'll be just as thrilled when it's over. Not to complain, but this kid is taking up some space, and the nausea, headaches, and lack of sleep are starting to take a toll both on me and those nearby. (Sorry, friends and family!)

Knowing how much time I spend online, it's no surprise that I've both Googled and asked around about the top ways to jump-start labor. None of these is a huge surprise, but maybe there's something you haven't heard of on this list. PS - please leave a comment and let me know what worked for you because I am ready to get this show on the road! Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

This is going to be one of those posts that demonstrates how much I don't know. So, let's discuss: pregnant belly painting. Quite honestly, the first time I heard about this I laughed. Then, when I thought about it some more, I was mildly horrified. My pregnant belly has been a source of many things: joy, discomfort, amazement...but usually, entertainment and/or self-expression were not on my list.

I can't say for sure, but perhaps we have Mariah Carey to thank for the spreading of this trend. Sometime last year, dear Mariah showed a photo of her twin-baby bump painted in a butterfly design. At the time, I dismissed it as a "weird celebrity trend" and/or an "only Mariah Carey would do something like that" thing. For some reason, though, I kept hearing about it after that. In my own third trimester, I decided to google "pregnant belly painting" to see what the deal was.  Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

A few weeks ago, a group of my girlfriends got into a discussion about "push presents." If you have never heard this term before, it refers to a gift given to a mom (usually by the dad) after giving birth to a child. These presents are traditionally jewelry or a trip.

Well, the discussion got very heated with many different opinions and I could not believe how passionate some people were about this topic! Wow! We had one end of the spectrum with mothers who felt that the gift was well-deserved after nine months of carrying the baby and hours of delivery. They felt that the gift was not only deserved, but expected. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

It's finally happened - you're staring at a positive pregnancy test! You'll spend the next few weeks alternately being nervous, being quiet, wanting to shout to the rooftops, wanting to keep the most special secret...and probably, wanting to just lie down for a minute. Congratulations: you're officially pregnant! Once you and your partner decide to share your big news, though...then what?  Read More

by Rachel Hoeing

It absolutely cracks me up when I hear people say, “Oh, I just loved being pregnant! I felt so full of life and always had a glow about me!” I have no way of relating to those statements. For me, there was definitely not a glow … I was usually white as a ghost because I was nauseous or about to throw up. I also had that horrible pain down the side of my inner thigh, awful back pain, and I felt like I waddled for the last three months.  Read More

by Katie Moosbrugger

A couple of months ago I went out to lunch with some girlfriends. We were quietly enjoying ourselves on the restaurant's outdoor patio when an older woman (probably in her 60s) came bumbling through the gate with a double stroller and two tiny newborns inside.

She immediately caught my attention with her awkward entrance, but then I became fixated on the two precious babies who were soundly sleeping despite their bumpy ride. I also happened to notice one of the baby's arms was unnaturally sticking out of the stroller in harm's way. The woman kept pushing her way to a table and I was horrified thinking something might happen to the baby's arm. Plus, where was the mother? These babies couldn't have been more than a month old, and clearly she wasn't their mother - perhaps the grandmother - but how often do you see tiny newborns out-and-about without their mother or father close by? Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

I was having one of my better mornings...smooth a.m. routine, everyone on time and in a decent mood, and then it happened - a song came on the radio and I was sobbing my eyes out. Normally this happens once in a blue moon but the past 7+ months I have had to allow for hormones <insert eye roll here> and the reactions they cause. During my first pregnancy, I'd have thought "Oh eMm Gee! I am clinically depressed, something must be wrong with the baby" etc etc. Now I give myself a mini-eye roll, reach for the tissues, and let it pass.

There's something hard about adjusting your "normal" even if it's temporary, and even if it's to allow for a happy event. (If you're me, there's also some anxiety, worry that I am doing something wrong, and difficulty accepting that not-like-unpregnant-me is okay for a while.) With all of that said, I wanted to make a list of tips and advice that I wish someone had offered me. Actually, I suppose these are tips and tricks that I have collected over the past 4+ years, but it's nice to have them all in one place. Ready? (and then you can add yours as "comments" below!) Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

As many of you already know, I am 7 months pregnant. (Actually 30 weeks, but who's counting.) My husband, while definitely NOT jealous, seems to need...well....something of his own. I kept wondering how long it would take us to have this conversation, and here we are. "Honey, maybe we should get another dog."  Read More

by guest blogger Rachel Rankin

Alright moms, listen up.  I'm serious this time.  This is not about Bentley.

If you're anything like me, your baby's grandmother buys him or her so many clothes that it's not unlike the Oscars at your house with 7 wardrobe changes every day.  I swear Benjamin has about five pairs of size 18 mo khaki shorts alone.  Ridiculous.  I'm so thankful.

But some babies are less fortunate.  Read More

by guest blogger Carolyn Miller

"How Did That Happen????"

My husband and I were out for the evening at dinner about 45 minutes from home, and we left our four children home with a new babysitter.  About an hour into our evening, my cell phone rang.  We were out in the middle of nowhere and cell phone service was horrible.  My oldest son, 11 years old at the time, is on the phone.  He tells me that Jack, our 9-year-old son, is choking on a marble.  I try to ask if he is still choking, but the phone goes dead.    Read More

by Karen Chilton, MD

Before you dismiss your baby’s sniffles as merely a common cold, consider this: What often appears to be a common cold may in fact be a very common virus called RSV in disguise. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus that leads to mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and older, healthy children. Unfortunately, RSV can be more serious in young babies, especially to those in certain high-risk groups, and it spreads easily by physical contact. Read More

by Shannon Ford

It was the Thursday before Memorial Day of 2010, the day of the “end all, be all” test of determining if something was wrong with my son’s head. We had completed an ultrasound and x-rays, and we were so thankful when the test results showed that everything was normal. Doctor after doctor at our pediatrician’s office had always been somewhat concerned with the shape of Luke’s head. It was an odd shape with a very prominent soft spot. The last doctor had seen Luke when he went in with an ear infection, checked his head again, and recommended an MRI just to be sure.  Read More

 by Shannon Ford

Let's face it: Most of us will have dirty diapers to change at least until age two. In the summer months, it doesn't pose as much of a problem for me when we are out and about. If a diaper change is necessary, I don't hesitate to change my son in the back seat or back of my SUV. However, this is not an option for me when it is cold and/or pouring rain. I don't want to stand in the rain, and I'm certainly not going to expose my child's legs and bum to the frigid temperatures.  Read More

by guest blogger Melissa Treen

Every expectant mother can tell you exactly how many “weeks” she is at any given time.  This may be one of the very few times in life we look at an event with such excitement that we desire to relish each & every day of our journey.  As we ready with anticipation throughout each week of pregnancy, 40 weeks seems like forever at times.  We long so badly for those weeks to go by so that we can cast our eyes upon the tiny little creation of love we can call our own.  When the day finally arrives that we can cradle this little blessing in our arms, we embrace that moment ever so securely, as if time stands still for just an instant.   Read More

By Katie Moosbrugger, Triad Moms on Main

Ridiculous or brilliant? You decide. A reader first learned about these stroller signs after hearing about it on The Today Show, and asked if we'd share this story with you to get your reactions.

 Basically, a new mom came up with the idea of these stroller signs (see picture) after getting tired from asking friends and strangers to stop touching her newborn with (what she presumed) were dirty, germ-filled hands. At first she taped a "Please Wash" sign on her stroller. She said she got so many questions about her sign from other new moms sharing her same concern that she decided to get professional signs created. Thus My Tiny Hands was created. Read More

by Rachel Biscombe

Oh yeah, this is the kind of news we like to hear!  Food Lion is giving away free diapers for a year EACH WEEK from now through June, 2011.  Follow this link to find out more.  http://www.foodlion.com/In-Store/Baby-Care/FreeDiapers Read More

By Katie Moosbrugger 

I have a couple of friends expecting babies any minute now which means I’ll be busier than normal in the kitchen. And that’s just fine with me. Any new mom knows receiving a home cooked meal the first few weeks after delivering a baby is one of the best gifts you can get!  Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

Today’s post is not only for new moms. Today we need a collaborative effort from all you veteran moms, too! New moms need help when it comes time to register for baby gear. I have compiled a list of the top items recommended from some of our readers. These are just suggestions, and we know that every family has different priorities, so please add your thoughts by commenting below and letting us know what baby items you loved and which ones were a flop. New items are constantly coming out, so if you recently registered, please share any new items with us that you added to your list. Here are our MUST HAVES: Read More

By Guest Blogger Barbie Pilla

A few months ago, www.AllModernBaby.com contacted us and asked if we could do a review of some of their products. Since most of their products are geared towards infants and toddlers (and our children are older than that), we asked loyal reader Barbie P (mother to a three-year-old and a seven-month-old) to seek out some fun items, try them out with her daughters, and write about her experiences. Here's what she had to say! - KM Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

When your first friend finds out she’s pregnant, it creates a snowball effect. Before you know it, everyone is having babies, which also means everyone is having baby showers! Whether you are attending a shower for a first-time mom, a veteran mom, or a mom of an adopted child, you want your gift to be one that is not only appreciated, but remembered! Read More

By Guest Blogger Jamie Southern

If you have children, then your life has been touched by the March of Dimes. The March of Dimes is all about babies – those born healthy and those that need help to survive and grow. It’s an organization that advocates for the needs of moms and babies. This organization is trying to make sure that all babies are born healthy by preventing birth defects and prematurity and eliminating infant mortality. The March of Dimes’ largest fundraiser each year is the March for Babies walk. The 2010 Winston-Salem walk will be held April 17th at Bolton Park. Read More

By Steve J. Hodges, MD
Pediatric Urologist at Brenner Children's Hospital

Everyone has a different strategy when it comes to potty-training your children.  I have even heard of different tactics for boys vs. girls.  Today, we are going to get a doctor's perspective on the entire issue.  I hope some of these ideas from Dr. Hodges will help you when it comes time to train your little one.

There are two main questions most parents have about toilet training: 1) When should I toilet train my child? and 2) How should I toilet train my child? Unfortunately, there aren’t any straight answers to either question. Not that you won’t find a lot of opinions, but very few of them are based on scientific fact, just anecdotal views. Read More