Signing with baby

Since my son was about 3 months old, I started doing a few signs and repeating both the sign and the word associated with it. It was so cool when one day around 10 months, he reached his little hand up and did the sign for Milk! Recently he started signing the word "more"- so fun
I would recommend not trying to teach them a bunch of new signs all at once. Pick a few that you want to start with and change it up which one you do. So, every time you hand baby a bottle, do both the sign for Milk & say what it is.
Don't underestimate the power of daily repetition of actions and repeating of words!!
Also, even if the sign isn't exactly the correct way, as long as you and baby both know what it means that is ok. My son does "all done"- by raising his arms up and tapping his head-- it is so cute! In the beginning, he just did the sign, but now he does the sign and if I don't see him, he says- AHH Done.
A video that a friend gave me was called Signing Times. It is great. I just learned that this CD is actually a tv show on PBS- check you're local listings for it.
Happy signing!

Another "In the Motherhood" episode

I hope you are not getting sick of these video clips!? They just make me laugh!

Monkey see, Monkey Do

For those of you with toddlers, you really can relate to that statement! My son is almost 17 months old and it is so amusing watching him try to imitate me and those around him.
This is the perfect opportunity to continue to teach your little one new things.
One idea is to get a big, colorful book with animals throughout the pages (or you can get flashcards). Everyday go through the book, even if you aren't reading line for line, and just point out a different animal. Initially, I found that introducing 2 animals a month is successful to them learning. I started with "dog" and what does a dog say? Now my son not only says dog, but barks too.
It is amazing how daily repetition of actions and repeating of words really starts to hit home with toddlers-- their brains are like sponges at this age so just a reminder to continually challenge them ;)

Baby Registry 101: Lesson #15- Strollers

There are so many different type of strollers on the market today, so how do you choose??
Initially, you may think- it doesn't matter, they are all the same.... well, actually they are not!
After talking with several of my friends, we all decided that a stroller is the one item you should NOT skimp on.

After much research and comparison shopping, I found that there are some key questions you should ask:

• How easy does it turn and maneuver through a crowd (especially if you live in the city)? Most likely it will be you holding the door for yourself and trying to push stroller through. A feature some strollers have are swivel wheels, which allows you to turn it with one hand!
• Does it have some type of "snap and go" feature?
  That means, can your carseat snap onto your stroller base? This is such a great feature because when your little one is in those first few months, they need their sleep but still at that age where they can sleep on the go (usually)... So if you are running errands and baby is asleep in car, instead of waking them up and putting them into a sling or stroller, you can just snap carseat onto stroller
  
• My friend got one of those "Snap & Go" Frames, but she said it was so flimsy she ended up buying 3 of them. If you add up the price of those 3, plus the other stroller she figured it would have been better to have just invested in a nicer one in the beginning
• Does it fold up easily? Check to see if it can stand once folded up.
  
• Is it heavy or lightweight? Can you lift it into your trunk with ease? Remember if you have a c-section you can't left heavy items!
  
• Ask yourself- how will I use my stroller? Is the answer: Daily? Walking outside, through a crowd? Do you live in a city, where you will have to weather the elements and street traffic? Or will you mostly be indoors at a mall?

The following are the ones that have been top rated for the above reasons...

• Bugaboo Frog
  
• Uppa Baby (new to the scene, but have gotten great reviews)
  
• Phil & Ted's
  
• Bob Revolution (can function as a jogger and an "urban" stroller. The only downside is it is bigger)

If you live in an area, where you aren't walking along city streets often and don't think you want all the bells and whistles, the following are ones that work well (and look cute too)

• Quinny Zap (new to the scene in the US)
• Maclaren (the Quest is a nice one)- great umbrella stroller

Finally, there are the typical Travel systems. I am not too familiar with these, so stay tuned and Noel will speak on these ones further... but, the following have been rated well:

• Chicco Cortina Travel System
• Graco
• Peg Perego
• Inglesina (According to the Baby Bargains Book Inglesina was better rated than the Peg Perego)
  

Most importantly, go look and play with the different strollers in the stores- turn them around corners and see how they move with one hand. Try folding & picking it up. Imagine how it would roll over curbs and bumps.

Good luck and happy strolling!

Halloween is coming to Little Hipster

Stay tuned. We will be uploading some really cute and fun Halloween costumes for babies- 4T.

Monster Space Tees!

Launching our Monster Space tees! These tees are the perfect gift for any little boy! Check them out at Little Hipster!



Just check out all our cute unique boy tees!

Puma is here!

So, as the weather starts to turn cooler, you are now in search of the right outfit for your little one... well, look no further! Puma track sets are super comfy, practical but more importantly- stylish!
Check them out at Little Hipster.