HPez's Profile

You need toddler bedding, right? Not bedding for a twin bed? I had the same problem and ended up buying a crib comforter from Target: Circo Baby Comforter - ABC's & Dots. They have sheets to match, too.

I’ve planned and been to several baby showers and think that the most successful ones have similar elements:

Small round tables or guests on couches and what not. No one can hold a conversation at banquet tables.

Serve yourself. Waiting for food to come out and get cleared and all that, takes so much time. Do a buffet. Plus, it’s another opportunity for guests to talk to each other.

Get gifts going quickly. As soon as lunch/brunch is done, gifts. People can have desert while gifts are getting opened or after.

I hate games, but have always loved doing arts and crafts activities at showers. All ages seem to like onesie and bib making. Set up a station and people can come and go as they wish.

The one game that I think really worked at a shower was when the host set a timer during the gift opening. If it went off during your gift, you get a prize. People started running up to move their gift to get picked next. It was fun and very helpful for a looooong shower.

Like any party, the hostess need to be aware that guests don’t know each other. Introduce. Bring people over to the make-a-onesie table. Etc.

And alcohol. Sure mom to be can’t really indulge, but a little white wine certainly never hurt a party. Don’t put bottles on the table, though. Make people get up and go to a bar area. Again: more ways to talk to people.

I used the glider all the time with baby #1 and fell asleep in it often. I liked being able to comfortably breastfeed him in his own room. The idea of carrying a sleeping, just-fed baby from the living room to the bedroom never appealed to me. I wanted to be as close as possible to the crib! I nursed in bed, too, but found it uncomfortable (always hunched over). When my son turned 1, I put the glider in the basement and bought an IKEA Pong chair for his room. (I really like having a place to sit and have story time.) Now that baby #2 is on the way, I'm hauling that old glider up again and putting it my bedroom. My guess is that I'll use it less this time, but that it'll still be a must-have for night feedings.

My husband and I actually did an easier version of this: We taped out the chalkboard area on our wall, painted it with chalkboard paint, then hung an old frame we painted around it. Looks awesome!

You can see it here: http://www.watchholly.com/?view=2008-09-25

They sell the decals at Rare Device in Brooklyn: http://www.raredevice.net/item.php?item_id=87&category_id=27

Any idea where to get a modern and not $$ alphabet pillow?

Visakha,
This year for my son's 2nd b-day I wanted to include my single and child-free friends, too. In an effort not to entertain them as well as the kids, we're doing a music theme. A friend who's in a band is playing for guests--not kids' music, just some kid-friendly rock n roll. The kiddos will dance and the grownups can drink beer and enjoy the music. There will be pizza. Everyone loves pizza! And to keep the kids excited, I ordered some egg shakers and various cheap-o musical things for them to play. And, of course, inflatable guitars!

Just something to keep in mind: The 1st birthday is a big one--for the parents! You made it! Try not to stress too much over the details that your child will not notice.

That said, my son's first b-day was last January. We just had a small party with family. No real theme, just bright colors, a giant cupcake, and a homemade felt banner that I'd like to use every year.

I had various baby pictures in these: http://www.celebrateexpress.com/celebration/pages/products/Product_BD.aspx?sku=E74894

And hung this along with the banner I made: http://www.celebrateexpress.com/celebration/pages/products/Product_BD.aspx?pageID=1&vw=asthumb&TabID=4294967135&N=4294967116 10&SKU=E7887

I did have his up-to-date baby book for guests to look at, too.

Here are some pix from the party: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollyp/sets/72157603780615083/

kittycatalina: I saw the collection in Brooklyn. Not sure if anything is left, but they had the whole collection at the Atlantic Center Old Navy.

I'd love some ideas to find modern and fun Christmas stockings for the fam. I love some that I've found on etsy, but they're pretty small and, you know, I want to actually be able to fill them up!

Many thanks!