10 Gifts for Baby's First Holiday

Babies are so fun to shop for because you can let your imagination go wild, and they will appreciate it no matter what. The first holiday season with your baby is a special time for everyone. Make it memorable by giving them gifts that they will enjoy now and in the future. Here are some of my favorites to consider this season:

1. Elks & Angels Cuddle Bear

Every baby wants a lovie and this one is the softest around. Made of Australian sheepskin, this cuddly bear will soon become your little one’s favorite. And parents love it too because it’s hypoallergenic and naturally repels stains and odors. So when your little one wants to take it everywhere with him (and I do mean everywhere) you can gladly say yes!

Get it from Elks & Angels, $49

2. Jumbo Knit Stacker

A fun spin on a classic toy. This knit stacker has quadrupled in size and is the perfect toy to grow with your child. It’s soft enough for your baby to crawl all over and then once they are a little bit older they can have fun developing their motor skills by stacking the rings one by one.

Get it from The Land of Nod, $79

3. Owl Clacker

Shake, shake, shake! This wooden owl clacker is a great toy for your little one to shake around. Made of all-natural wood, it’s safe for your baby to put in their mouth to soothe their little gums when teething.

Get it from Pottery Barn Kids, $16

4. Bannor Toys Rattle

Show some love for your home state with these wooden state rattles. If your little one is anything like mine and enjoys putting everything in their mouth, they will love chewing on these. Each rattle is handmade from cherry wood and finished off with an organic mix of flaxseed oil and beeswax, making it totally safe for your little one to slobber all over it. It’s completely customizable with an option to put baby’s name on it — and you can even pick out the disc colors in the middle.

Get it from Bannor Toys, $18-$24

5. My First Phone

It seems like we are always trying to grab the phone from our little one’s hands so don’t you think it’s time to get them one of them own? Made of a rubber wood, this phone is completely safe for your little one to chew on for as long as they desire.

Get it from The Land of Nod, $9.95

6. Skylar Luna Pajamas

Every year on Christmas Eve, our family gets a new pair of pajamas, and this year is no exception as I have a new son to join the tradition! Skylar Luna makes all of their pajamas with 100% organic cotton and have tons of stylish prints to choose from. I can’t wait to see my little one in a pair on Christmas morning!

Get it from Sylar Luna, $35

7. aden + anais Bamboo Dream Blankets

Cuddle up with your little one in this super-soft blanket made from bamboo fiber muslin. This will quickly become your baby’s favorite thing to snuggle up with — and probably yours as well. It’s big enough for both of you to wrap yourselves in on the couch, or you could lay it on the ground for playtime. (Plus, I give you permission to cuddle up with it while your baby sleeps. I won’t tell anyone.)

Get it from aden + anais, $59.95

8. Freshly Picked Moccasins

Whether your baby is just learning to walk or still has a few months before they’re mobile, these handmade, soft-soled shoes will keep their feet nice and warm. Ditch the socks and shoes that always end up falling off; these moccs feature elastic at the opening so you can be confident that they will stay on!

Get it from Freshly Picked, $45-$60

9. Eric Carle’s Very Little Library

It’s never too early to start reading to your baby, so why not start with the classics? Revisit your childhood favorites with stories like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Lonely Firefly, andThe Very Busy Spider. The perfect collection to begin baby’s own library!

Get it from Barnes and Noble, $25.19

10. Finn + Emma Wooden Play Gym

Baby gear doesn’t have to be an eye sore. This play gym won’t only be loads of fun for your baby, and it’s stylish enough to be on display in your living room. The play gym comes with four wooden toys and knit rattles that can easily be taken off and then put on your little one’s stroller for playtime on the go.

Get it from Nordstrom, $135

Source: Babble

Marsala: Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2015

I know 2014 is coming to an end because Pantone just announced the next color of the year. For 2015, they’ve chosen Marsala, “a daringly inviting tone that nurtures; exuding confidence and stability while feeding the body, mind and soul.” Sounds like a delicious way to start off the new year. If you’d like to add this “hearty, yet stylish” pinkish brown to your home or nursery, here are my best suggestions.

This was not an easy task, as wine shades aren’t typically used for kids products. While office chairs in shades like Marsala are plentiful, it may take a while before we find this tone in more higher-end design. Once we do however, it’s a really easy color to work with.

1- Bungalow 5 Tanjila lamp- $375 to $480
2- Dusty Rose Pillow Cover from Sophies Bazaar- $44
3- Jess Brown Doll – Rosa- $180
4- Everyone’s Lost But Me from todo TADA- $10+
5- 3 Sprouts Snail Storage Caddy- $15
6- Faux Leather Storage Basket – Burgundy- $15
7- babyroues letour II Bassinet and Stroller Black Frame System- $500
8- Antigua Jute Rug- $55 to $609
9- Axis II Chair- $1100
10- Southwestern Pouf in Maroon and Blue- $239

The New Nursery Shop You Need To Know About

If you’re like us, you’ve been pinning to your “dream nursery” board for a long time. Like, since you were married and had to stop pinning to your “dream wedding” board.

(Hey, there’s no shame in living an inspired life.)

But now that you have to start making real decisions on decor, your longstanding collection of images can feel cluttered and overwhelming…and all of a sudden, you feel like you’re back at square one.

So it’s a good thing the new Project Nursery Shop carefully curates the best collections of products, so you can welcome your newest addition in style. The geniuses behind Project Nursery, Melisa Fluhr and Pam Ginocchio, have been picking out the best trends in nursery decor for years, and now they’ve turned their discerning eyes to the exact things on your shopping list.

Can’t find the right crib? The Beverly Crib from Newport Cottages was exclusively designed for the new Project Nursery Shop, and it’s the perfect mix of modern & vintage.

Don’t know where to find Zero VOC, baby safe paint? Project Nursery Shop’s paint collection includes every color you’re considering with the promise of no odors.

They’ve even covered the tough hamper category, so you can really check off everything from your list.

With all your extra free time, we recommend spending your time wisely…like planning your shower.

Guidelines for Screen Use for Children Under 3 Years Old.

Babies today are born into a world of digital devices. And parents are trying to navigate this new reality—specifically figuring out what role these new gadgets should play in the lives of their young children. This is no small task given that parents are bombarded with a lot of conflicting advice, much of which is ideological and not based on science.

To fill this critical gap, ZERO TO THREE has developed Screen Sense:  Setting the Record Straight—Research-based Guidelines for Screen Use for Children Under 3 Years Old. This new free resource, written in partnership with leading researchers in the field of media and young children, is an authoritative review of what is known about the effect of screen media on young children’s learning and development.  It is designed to serve as a tool for guiding parents and professionals in making informed decisions about screen media use.

One of the biggest takeaways that the organization, along with a group of leading researchers, found was that screens shouldn’t necessarily be avoided all together. But they should be enjoyed with an adult. In its list of tips culled from the study, Zero to Three urges parents to watch shows together and talk to your child about what is happening on the screen, prompting them with questions when appropriate. The organization also encourages getting kids moving during screen time by acting out the movements and scenes they see.

Another tip: Take what you’ve learned on screen and make the connection to the real world. If you’ve just learned about animals, head to the zoo or take a walk around the block spotting as many as you can see. Or relate the challenges characters have faced on-screen to issues your child might be dealing with.

In addition to the above information, the study also summarized 5 myths about children and media in the infographic below.

20 Small Parenting Milestones That Are Kind of a Big Deal

We spend a lot of time gushing over our children's "firsts," no matter how big or small, but sometimes even the most mundane parenthood tasks are worth making a big deal over! From learning how to parent your newborn baby to figuring out how your toddler operates, here are a few parenting firsts that might seem like small potatoes — but are kind of a big deal — that even seasoned moms and dads will appreciate.

- First time you bathe your baby all by yourself.
- First time your baby is crying and you know exactly why.
- First time you use the Wrap.

- First time you take a walk with your baby.

- First time you change a diaper in public (especially if it's a blowout).

- First time you spend the entire day alone with your baby.

- First time you spend the entire night alone with your baby.

- First playdate.

- First time you cut your baby's nails (without using your teeth).

- First time you take the baby out to dinner.

- First time you call the pediatrician in the middle of the night.

- First time you take your tot to church.

- First time you take your baby on an airplane.

- First time you put your tot in time-out.

- First time your child vomits (and it's not just a little spit-up).

- First time you have to discipline your child in public.

- First time you leave the house with your child wearing underwear.

- First time you send your picky eater away from the table without eating anything.

- First time you take your kiddo to the park.

- First time you don't use a monitor while your child sleeps.