I know many of you are still probably wondering how is that a baby planner could really help me? I am a capable, intelligent person who knows how to plan and shop you think. Of course all of that is true. I just thought that I would provide an example of how I am helping one of my current clients.

My client has a very demanding job with ever changing, long hours. Her mother realized that her daughter would never be able to get everything done on her own so she sought out my services. At first, her daughter laughed at the idea of working with a baby planner. Two hours with me and I'm pretty sure she was convinced. We were able to get through her registry and furniture selection/ordering in just 2 1/2 hours. She exclaimed to me afterwards that it would have taken them twice as long if they were doing it themselves.

They didn't want anything in the house before the baby arrived so I am helping them by purchasing some of the necessary items and bringing other ordered items to the house. I will be setting up the nursery, packing the diaper bag, washing clothing, towels, blankets, etc., supplying them with diapers and wipes to last the first 10 days or so and taking care of all of those last minute details. My client expected to have her baby in two more weeks but surprise, she's in labor today. Needless to say, her mother who lives up north was frantic trying to tie up loose ends on what her daughter needed. With a moment's notice, I was on my way to the baby store to gather what she needed to have before coming home.

My goal is to provide every client with efficient, personalized service to make their pregnancies, deliveries and coming home with a new baby as easy as possible. There is no task too little or big for Nursery Know-It-All. If you or a loved one is feeling tired, stressed out, overwhelmed or could just use a few hours of help, please don't hesitate to contact NKIA. Let us help you so that you can relax and enjoy the moments.

Stay warm and happy inauguration to all!

Happy New Year!!!! It's been awhile since I've blogged. Between the holidays, preschool holiday parties, winter break, sick kids, family in town, like most of you, I've been swamped.

I was just thinking the other day as I was cleaning out my pregnancy/baby books (since my guy turns 18 months on the 10th -sniff, sniff) about the books that I found helpful and not so helpful. This is just my opinion and you can use some of these suggestions as you build your library of baby/parenting books.

1) "What to Expect your Baby's First Year" (or some version of a first year book): This is so helpful in so many ways. One, it gives you information about what your baby is doing developmentally, how much they should be eating, pooping, sleeping, etc. It also provides guidelines for how much and what types of medicine should be given for different symptoms (of course always consult your pediatrician before giving medicine if you have questions). The book gives information on the types of vaccines, common childhood illnesses, how to give your newborn a bath, umbilical cord care, etc. I remember cracking open this book countless times with my first and second children. The only thing I will caution is to not get too hung up on developmental milestones. You can drive yourself crazy wondering "why won't my baby pick up a raisin with a pincer grasp"......but all babies do things on their own time schedules. Use it as a general guideline.

2) Some kind of Breastfeeding book a la "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding": If you plan on nursing your little one it's a good idea to have a breastfeeding book on hand to use as a reference. Even if you take a breastfeeding class (which I also recommend) you will have questions later on. What many people don't tell you is that breastfeeding isn't always as easy as it looks. It takes practice, patience, and luck all together. Borrow a book from a friend if you can. It really will help you if you are having some difficulties or symptoms of mastitis, etc. Also, have on hand the name and phone number of either your hospital's lactation consultant or a private consultant. You never know if you might need it and you don't want to be searching for the info while seriously sleep deprived with engorged breasts.

3) "The Happiest Baby on the Block" by Dr. Harvey Karp; This book is wonderful for suggestions for dealing with your brand new baby. Your baby will try you in ways that you've never imagined. Dr. Karp gives wonderful suggestion for how to soothe your newborn into blissful sleep. Buy or borrow the book or it's companion DVD. Have a few designated swaddling blankets or large receiving blankets around for swaddling your newborn.

4) "Healthy Sleep Habits, Healthy Child" by Dr. Marc Weissbluth or "Good Night, Sleep Tight" by Kim West aka the Sleep Lady: I think it is so useful to have a good sleep book on your bookshelf. I had no idea about newborn and baby sleep patterns before I had a baby besides the fact that I wouldn't be getting much sleep anytime soon. It would have helped me if I had at least glanced at a sleep book before I brought my baby home. It was only by the time that I brought my third one home and reading cover to cover both of these sleep books that I really understood newborn and baby sleep. I do think some of it is luck of the draw however, I am convinced that the reason my little guy Alex became such a fabulous sleeper early on was because I knew how to read his cues, how to swaddle effectively, and what habits not to start.

You will continue to add books to your parenting arsenal but I think this is a good place to start prior to bringing home your little one. I'd love to hear what books others found useful for the first couple of months.

Kim

This article is something I wrote for a few online sites. I hope that you may find it helpful in your journey to purchasing baby gear for your new arrival!

1) CAR SEAT(S): Obviously, one must have a car seat purchased and properly installed prior to leaving the hospital with your new bundle of joy. You will most likely purchase an infant, bucket type seat, which you will use from birth until your baby is about 5-7 months old (depending on your baby's size). You will then need a convertible type car seat that can face backwards (until at least one year old and 20 pounds) and then forwards. Pick a car seat with a good safety rating. You may need a second base for the infant seat if your partner plans on driving around with the baby in their car. The infant seats come with one base. If you are going to splurge on anything, buy a safe and reliable convertible car seat. I know the sticker shock is overwhelming (think $250-350) but this is what is going to keep your little one snug in the car.

2) STROLLER(S): Again, you probably won't get by with purchasing only one stroller. The strollers out on the market are limitless. You should choose a stroller based on your lifestyle and budget. I recommend a snap-n-go type stroller frame in which the infant seat easily fits right in. Once your baby outgrows the infant seat, this combo will be obsolete. You will then need another stroller whether it's a jogger, umbrella or hybrid-type model. I recommend taking them out of the store to push on the sidewalks, practice folding and unfolding and placing in and out of the trunk if applicable to see how cumbersome it might be. When you have a wriggling, crying baby the last thing you need is a 40 pound stroller to collapse and try to shove into your trunk.

3) A PLACE FOR BABY TO SLEEP: You need to think about your home set up before you make any purchases. Some prefer baby to sleep in a crib from the get-go in a separate room while others want their little ones as close to them as possible. Again, you have many choices between a crib, mini-crib, pack-n-play, bassinet, arms reach co-sleeper or your own bed!

4) A DIAPER BAG OR SOMETHING FOR YOU TO SCHLEP ALL THE NEW THINGS YOU MUST CARRY FOR AN OUTING WITH BABY: You can go crazy as well with diaper bags. I've been known to splurge in this area but one doesn't have to. Again, consider your lifestyle and budget. They make fabulous bags that your husband/partner won't be embarrassed to carry that don't break the bank. Others may choose to use a backpack or their own larger purse. It is helpful from the beginning to have a place with several separate compartments. You will be lugging a lot of stuff initially but as your little one grows along with your confidence, you'll be able to get by with bringing less.

5) BABY BATHTUB: This really will make your life easier. You can put it in your kitchen sink or in your tub and it keeps your little one confined in a smaller space.

6) BOTTLES/NIPPLES: Even if you are planning on exclusively breastfeeding, I recommend having a few bottles/nipples already sterilized and ready to go. You never know how breastfeeding will go and you may be beyond exhausted and want your partner/family member to give the baby a bottle of expressed milk or formula. The last thing you want to do in your tired, hormonal state is look for and clean bottles. Have it all in a convenient spot ready to go!

7) SWING/BOUNCY SEAT: These are great items to borrow from friends or purchase second hand as usually they are gently used for a short period of time. It is great to have a a place to put baby down so that you can take a shower, fix yourself lunch or take a break! If you go for a swing, look for the kind that swing side-to-side as babies seem to like this motion best.

8) 8-10 SLEEPERS/OUTFITS/ONESIES: It is a good idea to have a week's worth of outfits on hand, washed and ready to go. Again, the last thing you want to do as you are recovering from childbirth is do multiple loads of laundry each day. Babies tend to spit up, poop u and leak out of their clothes so don't be surprised if in the first weeks, your little one goes through 2-3 outfits per day. Have enough so that you only have to do laundry every 4-5 days if possible.

9) DIAPERS/WIPES: A no-brainer, I know but it's great to have a supply of at least a package of diapers at home ready to go. I recommend having a stash of diapers on every level of your home so that you aren't running around looking for what you need. In fact, if you can set up a changing station in another high use room, that makes life easy. You can keep a spare outfit or two, diapers, wipes, cremes, etc. right there.

10) A SENSE OF HUMOR: Your life has just changed for the better but boy, is it crazy and overwhelming those first few weeks. Try to keep in mind that nothing you do will permanently harm your baby, your baby loves you and it really will be okay! So what if you have 40 thank you notes to write, last night's take-out dinner dishes in the sink and dirty clothes all over the house. It's all about surviving day to day the first three months, so do whatever it takes to be balanced and happy and try to laugh everyday! This period will go by so fast and you will look back and wish time moved more slowly.

:) Kim

I was cruising the aisles of Buy Buy Baby in Rockville today buying gifts for a baby shower when I noticed some amazing deals on 2008 strollers. They had a red/orange Quinny Buzz stroller reduced from $549 to $399. Some MacLaren Technos were reduced $100 as well as the Baby Planet side-by-side double.

If you need a new stroller and aren't too choosy about the pattern and color, head on up to BBB to get yourself a great deal. Who doesn't love a good markdown?

Happy holidays to all.

Lullaby Baby, a beautiful baby boutique in Columbia, MD is hosting a fun and informative seminar all about infant care on Sunday, November 23rd from 5:30 to 6:30. It is being led by Lois Ecker of Love 'N Care, LLC which is an organization providing in-home post partum services throughout the DC/Baltimore area. You need to RSVP by next Wednesday, November 19th. You can RSVP by going to the website www.lullaby-baby.com. And, if you can't make it to the presentation but need a place to look for good quality furniture and furnishings with lovely customer service, please check it out.

Well hello there,
It's been awhile since I've gotten the chance to write. Between a visit with the in-laws, days off from preschool, and the removal of my wisdom teeth, October has been a busy month but I'm back to give some advice on designing a nursery.

You probably want to start working on your nursery design and look when you are about 5 months along at the latest. Before you get started try and imagine the look and feel you want your nursery to convey. Do you like the classic looks a la toile or are you into clean lines with a modern flair? Baby furniture and bedding has come a long way in the past couple of years. Take a look at websites or stores and get an idea of what is out there. If you aren't finding out the sex of your baby beforehand it is still fun to design and decorate a gender neutral nursery (I've done it twice before).

Carefully measure the room and think about what pieces you really need. Obviously you will need a crib and a changing table or dresser that you use as a changing table. I personally would go with the latter as you'll get more use out of a dresser. All you need to convert the dresser to a changing table is the pad and some baskets to place your diapers, wipes, lotions, diaper cremes, etc. If you have the space then a bookcase and/or a glider can finish off the room. Don't go overboard buying furniture before the baby comes. The baby stores can make you feel like you need the matching armoire and tall bureau when you probably don't. You'll need to decide what color of wood you want the furniture in or you can mix and match within reason. With my first, I used an antique white crib that my friend was done with and then bought a yellow dresser and tall bookcase (think buttery yellow, not neon!).

If storage may be a problem, you can always convert a closet with an ELFA-type closet system (The Container Store) or get the professionals in to create additional space. Consider hanging up things like sleepers if you need the drawer space to hold towels, wash cloths, blankets, etc. The bookcase will come in handy for all of those books your little one will collect. It is also great for displaying stuffed animals, picture frames, and hold baskets for containing toys, etc.

If you want your furniture to come in prior to your baby's arrival, you should order it 3-4 months before your due date. There are good furniture lines at several price points. Spend what you can afford. I know it's easy to get sucked in to feeling like you must have it or your baby won't be happy.......just not so! Just make sure that you purchase furniture that is made from good quality wood, bonus if it is manufactured in North America or Europe as the quality tends to be better. Pull the drawers out to make sure they don't catch. Most of all, have fun and be creative. This is a room you will spend a plethora of time in so you want to love it!

I just wanted to let everyone know about a great event being hosted by Daisy Baby.

Join Daisy Baby in hosting baby planner Kimberly Shore Levin of NURSERY KNOW-IT-ALL (www.nurseryknowitall.com) and professional organizer Rachel Rosenthal of ROSEY'S (www.roseysurbanstyle.com) in an open house to discuss everything organization.

Each hour Rachel and I will give a brief overview of getting ready and organizing for baby as well as tips for organizing once your baby/ies arrive. We will also be available throughout the day for individual questions and answers.

Rachel will be discussing pre-baby and post-baby organization including:
** Organizing and Preparing for baby (or babies)
** Time management skills (includes family schedules and group calendars)
** Reducing clutter when there are children in the house
** Solutions for twins

I will be discussing getting ready for baby including:
** Timelines for lining up services pre-baby
** Creating and managing your registry list
** Baby Proofing
** Nursery Design/Assistance

WHO: DAISY BABY along with Kimberly Shore Levin of NURSERY KNOW-IT-ALL and Rachel Rosenthal of ROSEY'S

WHAT: Open House to learn more about organizing for and after baby

WHEN: Thursday, November 6, 2008
12-7 pm

WHERE: Daisy Baby
4924 Del Ray Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 654-7477

WHY: Come meet Kimberly Shore Levin of NURSERY KNOW-IT-ALL and Rachel Rosenthal of ROSEY'S professional organizer to learn about organizing for baby. There will be a short presentation each hour on specific topics as well as one-on-one time for questions and answers.

RSVP: rachel@roseysurbanstyle.com OR kim@nurseryknowitall.com

This is an article that I recently wrote for Expecting Guide (which you may have picked up in your OB's office at one point). The article will be appearing in a later edition. I thought that some of you might find it useful.


Congratulations! You are expecting a baby and probably thinking of ways to be kind to our planet and yet keep your wee one comfortable and cozy. Options for going green are popping up daily and it is easier than ever to make choices to start your baby's life in a green way. Who said pink and blue were the colors of choice? It's now green all of the way!

The first way to design a green nursery is to select paint that is non-toxic. You want to look for paints that are plant, water or milk based and have zero to low volatile organic compounds (VOC). When you are checking the labels look for zero VOC or low VOC. Also since it is not a good idea to be pregnant and be around paint fumes, it is probably wise to have your partner do the painting while you enjoy the weekend some place else or hire someone else to do the work while you both escape. You want to make sure that you give the paint plenty of time to "off gas" or release the chemicals into the environment through evaporation.

Now that you have selected your non-toxic paint and painted your nursery, it is time to get the furniture in the room. One of the easiest ways to go green with your nursery is to borrow or buy slightly used baby furniture. I took my friend's crib off of her hands and used it for 2 babies of my own. If you can find furniture that has been loved and needs a good home, then consider doing so! If you would like to purchase your own crib, dresser and bookcase then look for those made of natural wood products with low VOC finishes. Most baby stores should provide you with the information about how the materials are manufactured.

We've got our paint and furniture and now the baby needs a place to rest their little body. One of the most important but slightly expensive purchases you can make is for an organic mattress. The mattresses tend to range from $250-500 but consider how much time your baby spends in his/her crib. Also, you will probably be using your mattress for more than one child. The regular mattresses use polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBEs). Look instead for mattresses made from latex or cotton. A mattress is something you should consider buying versus borrowing, as there is some controversy over the risks of using an older mattress.

Now since you have your crib set up with your new mattress, it is time to consider bedding. Again, there are so many more options out there now for organic, cotton sheets, bumper pads and blankets. You can find organic bedding online, at retail chains like Pottery Barn Kids and most specialty baby stores. You can sleep easier at night knowing that your little one is resting their heads on something organic and soft.

You may decide that you want your baby in organic clothing and cloth diapers. Again, the possibilities are endless. There is some discussion on whether it is "greener" for the environment to use cloth diapers versus disposable because of all of the extra water you'll be using for laundering the dirty diapers. If you are unsure of what you would like to do, it is a good idea to do some research about cloth diapering and see if it is for you. There are some great resources online and with specific message boards. You'll be amazed at what comes up when you google cloth diapers.

Your baby will need a bath every other day or so and it is important to use products that won't irritate that sensitive, oh-so-soft baby skin. Look for shampoos, bath soaps and lotions made from organic ingredients. You don't even necessarily need to shop anyplace special to find these kinds of products. Now days, for example, you can find Burt's Bees baby products at many grocery stores. It doesn't get much easier than that.

You have probably heard the latest news about the controversy over Bisphenol-A (BPA) products being found in plastics such as baby bottles. While nothing conclusive has been agreed upon, it will probably make you feel better to buy and use bottles that are BPA-free. The options are now plentiful. Examples of BPA-free bottles are Born Free, Think Baby, Green to Grow, Playtex drop-ins, and the Dr. Brown's glass baby bottles. When you are over the bottle phase you can then move onto BPA-free sippy cups.

Now that your baby is growing up they are paying more attention to their toys. Options for going green in your toy box are to buy wooden toys and those using lead-free paints. The selection of wooden toys and puzzles has really grown in the past two years. There is a fabulous selection of well made toys that use little to no plastic and again can be find online, in major retail outlets and specialty toy stores.

Going green for your baby is as easy as ever. Even doing just one or two of the things listed above can make a difference in keeping our planet green.

I am so excited to tell you all about Hot Mama Fitness Studio in Bethesda, Maryland. They are having their grand opening this Saturday, September 27th with classes beginning on Monday, September 29th. The studio is the baby of Vionna Jones, an amazing woman I met back in the spring. Vionna is a personal trainer and specializes in working with pre and post-natal women. She is passionate about helping women keep fit during and after their pregnancies and really understands what happens to a woman's body during the pregnancy, labor and delivery process. Vionna wanted to create a space where women could feel comfortable exercising whether they are 6 months or 6 years post-partum!

Hot Mama Fitness Studio offers both individual and group exercises classes as well as nutritional help and workshops on all sorts of different topics by guest lecturers. Some of the classes offered are Pre-Natal Bellydance, Evening Meditation, First Steps which is a pilates and yoga class that works to rebuilds abdominal and back muscles, post-natal ballet sculpt as well as individual and group personal training and stretching services. Hot Mama Fitness Studio also offers babysitting services.

Hot Mama Fitness is located at 4715 Cordell Avenue, Suite 200 in Bethesda. Please visit www.hotmamafitnessstudio.com for more information.

Now let's all go out and work up a sweat......okay, maybe I will after I finish my bag of Baked Ruffles.

I always love a sale so I wanted to pass on the information about this amazing sale at Wren and Divine. They are moving to a new location within their current shopping center and therefore need to reduce their inventory by half which means great savings for their customers. In-store floor samples of furniture are 50% off as well as 50% off all in-store bedding. This can mean incredible savings. The furniture is usually in great shape and this is a way to get the furniture that maybe you coveted but felt too guilty spending the money on!

I got my second little one's crib at a floor sale like this at the now defunct Lewis of London when they were closing down their store. What a deal! Also, if you spend $1000 online (www.wrenanddivine.com) you get $250 off during the month of September.

You can visit Wren and Divine at 6645 Old Dominion Drive in McLean, Virginia. They are located in the Balducci's shopping center. The phone number is 703-356-WREN (9736).

Happy shopping!

Hello there,

I was just doing a quick google search of "baby planning businesses" and was amazed to see how many new businesses have sprung up in the last 3 months. I first came up with the idea about two years ago after I helped so many friends with the process of getting prepared, the first few weeks home, and beyond. I had so much fun that I thought what a great idea to help those that maybe don't have family in the area or any friends that have children.

I couldn't implement my idea as I was busy pregnant with #3 and then with the newborn stage full of sleepless nights. This past spring I finally felt like I could devote myself to creating and providing excellent, customized service to expecting parents. When I began to research the idea I found about 6 of these businesses located in places like LA, NYC, Seattle, Portland, and Austin/Houston (this was last winter). Now there must be 25 businesses that have sprung up in Boston, Columbus, Ohio, southern Wisconsin, Miami, and Salisbury, Maryland. I guess we were all on to something.

Nursery Know-It-All is not unique in the services it provides as compared to the other businesses located across the US, but I like to think that because I have had 3 children, actually bought most of the baby gear out there, and know first hand what it is like to have a newborn, that I can offer practical advice and reduce the stress levels that I know come along with being pregnant. My goal is really just to ease the jitters and nerves of my clients, help them where I can and provide resources and advice during pregnancy, infancy, and beyond to the land of sassy 4 year olds!

I truly love what I do and hope that if you have even the slightest question or concern and you feel you don't have anyone to run it by, that you shoot me an email or give me a call. Again, my goal is to help where I can and refer where you need it.

Hope that everyone is enjoying their pregnancies and/or babies. You will make it through all of this!

Kim

I was remembering the other day what it was like when I brought my first child Amelia home from the hospital that first day. I was tired, excited, nervous, in love and engorged. Man, was I uncomfortable and my little Amelia just did not want to cooperate in relieving the pain. I recall gingerly trying to sit on the floor to read the directions on how to use my breast pump. Not the easiest thing to do while recovering from a c-section with breasts the size of melons. Where am I going with all of this.......some tips on things to have ready when you come home.

1) Even if you don't plan on nursing, educate yourself ahead of time on methods to relieve engorgement. Things like pumping, using cabbage leaves, taking a hot shower, etc. can all be helpful in this situation. When you are in the midst of big, leaky, hurting breasts and a hungry newborn it is best to know how to deal with the situation instead of looking in an instruction manual and/or the papers you had somewhere from your class.

2) If you have a breast pump purchased or rented at your home ahead of time, peruse the directions before your due date. I didn't even know what went where or how to put the parts together.

3) Have plenty of Lansinoh on hand to put on your nipples after feedings.

4) Have a supply of breast pads, milk storage bags, already sterilized or washed bottles and nipples for pumping and/or feeding ready for use when you arrive home. You just never know how nursing will work out, you may be exhausted and need your spouse or partner to give the wee one a bottle. Last thing you want to do is rush to boil bottle parts. By the way, most babies do not have nipple confusion and can easily go from bottle to breast. A couple of bottles here and there or supplementation with formula will not destroy you nursing.

5) Have some kind of breastfeeding pillow (boppy, my breastfriend, extra pillows) and bring it to the hospital if you plan on nursing. I found it really useful to have my own gear there to use.

6) Take a breastfeeding class through a hospital, birthing center, or private teacher to educate yourself on all things nursing. Make your husband or partner attend as well. Even though I felt like smacking my husband while he was trying to help me get my daughter in the right position for nursing, he was actually very helpful. I was still quite drugged up from the surgery and could barely believe I just had a baby. It helped to have someone who wasn't on morphine and percocet who could retain the information because I retained nothing.

7) Stock up on trashy magazines that you can read while nursing. You will become a nursing pro in no time and I loved passing the time with some good old celebrity gossip. You will feel like you are doing nothing but feeding but that's because you are. Before long, the frequency will decrease and the baby becomes fidgety and you won't have the luxury to read your US Weekly anymore.

Happy weekend.

I picked up my mail today and saw the new Restoration Hardware catalogue from their baby & child collection in the pile. I have not yet seen any of the furniture, bedding, rugs, lamps or towels in person but it looks beautiful in the catalogue. Classic colors and styles in beautiful, rich fabrics. Think a lot of pink/brown, blue/brown, mint green/brown with patterns of stripes, polka dots, stars and honeybees.

You could do an amazing nursery and get some great ideas from Restoration Hardware. They also offer organic bedding, an organic cotton layette collection and eco-friendly paints in 5 signature color palettes. Prices seem on par with Pottery Barn Kids for the cribs, changing tables and armoires. Bedding is more expensive than PBK but much less than designer brands such as Serena & Lily.

Restoration Hardware is also offering a $100 gift certificate to use towards a purchase of $400 or more when you register with them. Definitely worthwhile if you want to order furniture through them.

If anyone has any personal experience with the baby & child collection from RH, I'd love to hear it!

I happened to be at both Great Beginnings in Gaithersburg and Buy Buy Baby and noticed that there are some great deals on strollers now. If you are in the market for a new stroller and you don't mind buying a 2007 model, then you could be in luck. I saw Peg Perego, Uppa Baby, MacLarens and more on sale with reductions anywhere from $50-150 off of the price. Prices were usually for the floor models and whatever they have in stock of that particular model. It could be worth the trip to get a great deal.

Happy Stroller Shopping!

Kim

Well hello there,

I first must apologize for the lack of recent postings. We took a beach trip for two weeks (the first vacation since we've had #3) and it was heavenly! I will be back to regularly blogging about all things wonderful for expecting parents and those of us that already have bambinos.

I came across a great company called Posh Baby Baskets run by two moms. They offer two wonderful gifts (wish I had received these) that will brighten any pregnant lady's day. The first one is for while you are expecting. The kit contains books, cocoa butter cream for stretch marks, protein bars, etc. all in a clear diaper bag. So cute!!! The next adorable item is for mamas while they are in the hospital or birthing center that can make them feel a little bit more at home. It contains a cute hospital gown, fuzzy socks, flip flops, a water bottle, toiletry kit and more, again in a great bag. This truly is such a thoughtful idea that I can't imagine anyone not loving. Check out their website at www.poshbabybaskets.com,

Happy shopping for your pregnant friends and family.

If you are reading this, you are probably excitedly and anxiously awaiting the arrival of your new little one. And, you are more than likely expecting your first. And, you more than likely need just about anything and everything to prepare for baby.

It is now so easy and convenient to go to big box speciality baby stores or smaller baby boutiques to figure out what you need and register. Just a few hints before you embark on this adventure:

1) Buy the book Baby Bargains about a month or so before you plan on registering. This book is a great resource for familiarizing yourself with what you need, types and brands of products, etc.

2) Go to the stores and just look.....don't buy or register yet. It can put you into a panic attack going to these places seeing all of the stuff that they make you feel like you need.

3) Go with a friend, husband, partner, mom and grab your little gun and go for it. When it comes to picking a stroller, think about your budget and lifestyle ahead of time. City dweller? Outdoorsy? Runner? Live in your car? This will effect the type of stroller you buy. Think about your nursery layout and what furniture you need. Make sure you leave plenty of time to have the furniture delivered prior to your due date. The last thing you need is to worry about not having a place for baby to sleep.

4) Get opinions from friends who have children, the internet or nursery know-it-all to really get the low down on big purchase items (crib, stroller, car seat, crib bedding, etc.). Ask about safety, favorite features, ease of fold up, durability.

Have fun shopping and registering!

Kim

As I was changing the crib sheet on my now 1 year olds (sniff, sniff) crib mattress, I was reminded of the fact that in a hormonal daze, I purchased a mattress that weighs as much as my 4 1/2 year old. Okay, maybe it's not 39 pounds but it's darn heavy. I can barely get a sheet on there by myself. We've been lucky that so far we have not had to deal with any middle of the night changes for awful illness however, my luck will probably run out at some point.

This is a cautionary note to avoid doing what I did by purchasing a heavy mattress. Even though you can use crib sheet toppers such as the ultimate crib sheet, you will still need to change the bottom sheet. You don't need to spend an arm and a leg to get a good quality mattress. Usually the most expensive ones are the heaviest.

When you are out shopping for a mattress make sure that you try lifting it in and out of the crib. Some are gifted at hardly lifting the mattress out to put a sheet on, but that has never been my forte. Go into the baby stores and take them from the shelves and try lifting them up. Even practice taking a sheet on and off while the mattress is in the crib. This might sway your opinion on choosing a mattress. Really, after 3 children with always having 2 in cribs at the same time, I've learned that the sleep the same on a cheaper but lighter mattress as they do on a heavier, pricier one.

Now I must go take 3 advil after pulling my back from changing sheets!

KSL

I have recently discovered the most fabulous muslin blankets that can be used to swaddle your new little one snug as a bug. I so wish that I had known about these last summer when I had my newborn.

The company is called Aden & Anais and they are based in California. The company was formed by two Australian mamas living in the US who were unable to find the muslin wraps which were popular in their part of the world.

What I love most about these is that 1) they are large enough to tightly swaddle your baby 2) they are breathable and light weight so you don't have to worry about your summer baby becoming overheated when they are bundled up 3) they make good throws to place over your stroller/car seat to block out the sun and 4) they look great!

Please check out the website at www.adenandanais.com. If you are interested in checking them out for yourself or purchasing them as a gift, they can be found locally at Daisy Baby. Daisy Baby is a wonderful baby boutique that is located on Del Ray Avenue in Bethesda, Maryland.

Cheers,
Kim

I'm feeling very reminiscent as my youngest Alexander is turning one next week. He's my baby and the last baby I'll ever have. I remember at this time last year being enormously pregnant and feeling all of the jitters that go along with having another baby. Whether you are expecting your first or your fourth, it's an amazing journey ahead. Enjoy!!!!

This blog is a new feature to the Nursery Know-It-All website where I will be periodically updating readers about great new products, stores, services, or books. I will try to feature things that expecting parents might benefit from as well as other products that those of you with older children might find helpful. I hope that you will enjoy reading it!

Please feel free to pass on any questions, suggestions, etc. my way.

Happy long weekend everyone!

Kim