Baby

Baby Shower Game: Nursery Rhymes

My Aunt Shirley made up this game!  It is definitely a good one to keep you on your toes.  If you haven't been around babies in awhile it will definitely make you think.  When I played at my cousins shower, I only got 3 right! Yikes.

~With Angela O'
Nursery Rhymes
"Who" or "What" is it?

 1.  Stuck a feather in his hat

 2. Eating her curds and whey

 3.  The clock struck one, and down he run

 4.  (Her garden) grow(s) with silver bells, and cockleshells, and pretty maids all in a row

 5.  I frightened a little mouse under her chair

 6.  Went to the cupboard to get her poor dog a bone

 7.  Kissed the girls and made them cry

 8.He's under the haystack fast asleep

 9.  Sings for his supper

 10.  Lost her sheep and can't tell where to find them

 11. Could eat no fat

 12.  He went to bed with his stockings on; one shoe off and one shoe on
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 Nursery Rhymes
"Who" or "What" is it?
*With Answers*

 1.  Stuck a feather in his hat
a.  Yankee Doodle Dandee

 2. Eating her curds and whey
a. Little Miss Muffet

 3.  The clock struck one, and down he run
a. The Mouse

 4.  (Her garden) grow(s) with silver bells, and cockleshells, and pretty maids all in a row
a. Miss Mary Quite Contrary

 5.  I frightened a little mouse under her chair
a. Pussy Cat Pussy Cat

 6.  Went to the cupboard to get her poor dog a bone
a. Old Mother Hubbard

 7.  Kissed the girls and made them cry
a. Georgie Porgie

 8.He's under the haystack fast asleep
a. Little Boy Blue

 9.  Sings for his supper
a. Little Tommy Tucker

 10.  Lost her sheep and can't tell where to find them
a. Little Bo Peep

 11. Could eat no fat
a. Jack Sprat

 12.  He went to bed with his stockings on; one shoe off and one shoe on
a. Deedle Deedle Dumpling

Baby Shower Game: All in the Family Celebrity Trivia

For showers and parties I tend to gravitate towards making them unique.  Baby showers I especially am not fond of the over-used games found online.  Recently, my cousin had a baby shower which was themed "The Modern" and the colors were Black and Grey with a very small splash of pink.  I created this trivia game and would like to share it with you for your your parties.

~ With Angela O'

All in the Family Celebrity Trivia

 1) North West is the girl baby of which celebrity couple?  

 a. Kim Kardashian & Kanye West

 2) Who is Kate Hudson’s mother?

 a. Goldie Hawn

 3) Who is Liza Minneli’s mom?

 a. Judy Garland

 4) The two girls Harlow & Sparrow are adopted granddaughters of whom?

 a. Lionel Richie

 5) Paris, Prince, and Blanket are whose children?

 a. Michael Jackson

 6) Who named their children as an extension of their own names? The children are Willow and 

 a. Will & Jada Smith

 7) Rumer Willis is the daughter of which two people?

 a. Bruce Willis & Demi Moore

 8) Jack Quaid, kid who played Marvel a district one tribute in the movie of The Hunger Games is the son of which two people?

 a. Dennis Quaid & Meg Ryan

 9) The actor, Ethan Peck who played in the hit television sitcom Ten Things I Hate About You is the grandson of which star who played Atticus Finch in the movie classic To Kill a Mockingbird?

 a. Gregory Peck

 10) Zoe Kravitz who played in the movie X-MEN First Class is the daughter of which famous rock star and The Cosby Show actress?

 a. Lenny Kravitz & Lisa Bonet

 11) Michael Jackson’s ex-wife Lisa is the daughter of whom?

 a. Elvis Presley

 12) The fashion designer Stella McCartney is daughter to whom?

 a. Paul McCartney

 13) Who is the father of Carnie & Wendy Wilson of the 1980’s group Wilson-Phillips?

 a. Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys

 14) These male country music stars kept the family line going with Senior, Junior, and the III.  Who are they?

 a. Hank Williams Sr., Hank Williams Jr., Hank Williams III

 15) Musicians Stephen, Ziggy, and Damien are the sons of which famous Reggae musician?

 a. Bob Marley

DIY Glam Pinatas


Friend and Blog Guest Jenna Holtschulte whipped up these cute pinatas for her sweet baby Micah's first birthday. Super easy to make but the her only requirement: Just make sure you have a little extra time on your hands the day you take on the task. Jenna made this from 100% scratch! However, if you are short for time then you could go to Jo-Ann Fabrics and stock up on the premade paper kraft letters for about $2-$3 each.

The Letters:
Scrap Cardboard Boxes
Pencil
Exacto Knife
Brown Packing Tape

The Fringe:
Glue
Scissors
Tissue Paper
Tacky Glue Pens
This pinata is perfect to hang over the dining room table

The Finishing Touches:  Micah' Gold Bow, Micah is One Cake Topper, The Pom Garland













DIY Baby Bumpers




Did you know that in some states traditional bumper pads are actually illegal to sell due to their lack of air flow babies get?

There are two alternatives:

1.  Mesh bumper pads that allow air to flow (but are kinda ugly)

2.  Wonder Bumpers (that cost usually over $300 to fit an entire crib)


The cards have been dealt and my friend's project has been completed and ready to share with the world!!  

Homemade Customized Wonder Bumpers for less than $95!!!


Thanks to my dear friend and guest on this blog Tracy Cook, you will now know how to make your own stylish baby bumpers!

Materials Needed:

  • 3/4 inch Self Adhesive Foam Tubular Pipe Insulation
  • Thicker Cotton Fabric or Felt (Choose one or two designs)
  • Coordinating Ribbon or Lace
  • Scissors
  • Measuring Tape
  • Hot Glue Gun (Don't worry...it is on the inside so baby can't get to it)

Step 1: Gather the materials.



Step 2: Measure the tubular foam.   Here we have shown 16 inches which is the half size for a standard crib.  Half size bumpers were convenient for this mommy because she did not want the bumpers to be too close to Finleigh when she needed to drop the crib into a big-girl bed.  However, you may choose to have your crib bumpers at full length of 32 inches for the 32 inch rails.  It is simply personal choice.


Step 3: Cut down the tubular foam to your specified size.  Remember 16 inches or 32 inches.  Whichever is best for you and your baby.

Step 4: You should end up with a pile like this.


Step 5:  Cut the fabric to the diameter of the tube.  Begin by putting the fabric on one side of the slot but be sure to leave some excess at the end.   Remove the adhesive film.  Wrap it around the foam, tucking the fabric edges into the open slot down the center of the tube.  The fabric should adhere to the adhesive.  Once done you may cut the fabric to the length of the tube leaving about one inch to one and a half inches of spare fabric at each end.


Step 6: It should look like this when you are done.  



Step 7:  Now take one fabric covered tube and place it on the crib rail.  Have your hot glue gun heated and ready to go.  Next you will need to add some hot glue to the inner portion of the tube where the excess fabric is located, then tuck the fabric ends inside.  Yes you will be doing it while the covered tube is on the crib.  This seals the bumper and prevents the fabric from fraying.  Take care to not get the excess glue on the crib rails.  Repeat this step to seal off the opposite end of the bumper.   Once complete with this one rail, repeat step 6 for each of the crib rails.  IF you have chosen to use two different fabrics then take the first fabric and do every other rail like below.  Then follow by adding the second fabric to the remaining rails.  **Note the glue should be on the inside so that the baby cannot access it**



Step 8:  Once complete tie ribbon to the tops of the bumpers.  The bow ends should be on the outside of the crib rails so the baby does not pull them.  TaDa!  Beautifully done.  See how mommy Tracy used the two different fabrics in a coordinating way?  Pink solid with a white and pink print.

BabyWatch - O'nly Glamorous for Our Future Offspring

In passing, both online and physical I have heard quite a few ladies complain of nice baby gear.  Specifically, making fun of the baby product and decor from places like Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn and other high-end retailers.  True that the items can be rather expensive for someone who is going to quickly become too big for them but still they are so beautiful.  However, none of those women complained about the price, they were complaining about the type of parent that would actually have a nursery that looks so fancy-pants.  Whether or not they believed their personal parent category was "super-mom" or "anti-mom", it had no relevance on the topic.

It is honestly no surprise that I have had a Pinterest board that circles around little ones and families for years.  The way I like to create, organize, plan and share...Why would you expect anything else?!  It doesn't matter if it is for my best-est of friends, nieces, nephews or eventually us.

But what a lot of people don't know is that I have never been a fan of traditionally cutesy baby things.  I am happy for all those out there who do like the traditional style because that is what makes that person happy and that parent will know what is best for their baby.  But for me...let's set the record straight before it all starts.  When envisioning our future little ones duckies, buggies, and baby animals just are not going to be a highlight in our nursery.  Seriously, dump the little price and princess talk. 

Our future babies will be beautiful, bold, glamorous, tough, and handsome. They will be the diamonds, opals, pearls and onyxes of our eye and their nursery should reflect that. They will be Emperors and Empresses, Dukes and Duchesses.  So forget to swallowing pastels and bring in the deep colors, mix it up a little.  

Honestly, that goes for any baby gathering as well...showers, what have you.  Oh please, it has got to be tasteful.  Not a fan of stuff thrown together.

Call me pretentious if you want at least I know what I like. (And at least I don't hate on other mothers who don't match my sense of style)

~ With Angela O'

SOME EXAMPLES OF AWESOMENESS:



Dark Colors!!!









Not Having Children till after your 30 is a Very Valid, Healthy, and Modern Decision

1) It's not just about you being ready to have children it is about you being ready to bring children into this society.  This world is rough.  People are down right nasty just because they can be and because they have the right to be.  When you bring a child into this new world you have to be ready to teach them how to stand up for themselves, how to protect themselves, and how to get along with individuals who are not willing to be considerate of others.

 2) It is just rude to ask or pry or to pressure.  Whether you are or you are not related by blood.  The only people who should bring up the discussion are the future mother-to-be and the future father-to-be.  Period.  Not future grandparents, not strangers, not co-workers.  I remember being antagonized by some of my office co-workers when working in Orlando, Florida.  Some of them were just down right rude at the lunch table and did not have respect for the individual who would have to carry or support the baby.  Absolutely disrespectful to the individual.

3) Anyone who says that "You'll never be financially ready to have a baby if that's what your waiting for" can just shove it.  There smart ass comments or I know better attitude really isn't going to get you anywhere.  The truth is yes you can be financially ready.  Granted you may not be able to own your own home or have a trust fund lying around but when you are financially ready you will know it.  It is part of piece of mind.  It could be something as simple as you starting your own savings account, or reaching the $ amount in your savings account that you have desired.  Or it could be that you finally have secured your time in a career position that is at a great up-swing and that you feel comfortable taking maternity leave without uprooting the project or just knowing you can return to your position.  Quite frankly those people who want to be condescending or laugh at your desire to be "financially ready" can just shove it because they are most likely sore that they were not were they wanted to be.   Not everyone has to follow the same path, individuals make their own path.  Whatever is right for them and their family.

4) There have been so many technological and scientific advances that really there is no more to be worried about the baby or mommy's health.  So many ways to correct a problem.  If you feel like your time is later then no one should scream at you that your child is going to have Down Syndrome.  And no that is not a joke, someone really did rudely poke their head into a conversation I was privately having with my Gramma and screamed aloud "Your child is going to end up with Down Syndrome".  Yes I was ticked. Certainly because DS is not something to throw around lightly.  The truth of the matter is that there are so many environmental illnesses out there (cancer, autoimmune problems, etc) that you and your child will always be facing something.  Why not face it together when you are strong-minded and strong-willed.  My doctor is smart enough to acknowledge this so oldies, live a little and don't be a Debbie Downer because negativism is even worse for the child's health!