InvitingSmiles Blog

It is that time of year, when parents are hearing about toys, toys and more toys. What Johnny wants, what little miss Suzy needs, and the ‘fact’ that “everybody” else is getting one. Oh, the joys of the holidays!

The toy choices are many and the marketing strategies are creative. Thank goodness, there are groups that can help inform us of unsafe toys. One particular group is W.A.T.C.H.  (world against toys causing harm, inc.).

W.A.T.C.H. has recently posted their top 10 most dangerous toys for 2009. Search the internet when purchasing your child’s “just gotta have it” list for any potential dangers. These groups are there to help and inform so you can keep your children safe.

http://toysafety.org/worstToyList_index.shtml

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I learned a new word this week… Furbaby. Call me out-of-the-pet-loop if you want, but this is a new one for me. Apparently, some people love their pet so much they refer to it as their Furbaby. Well, who would have known that I have a Furbaby in my home.

I have always referred to her as My Little Angel, but she definitely meets all the criteria to be my Furbaby. She is an adorable little furry dog that I treat like a child. I have often told my husband that she needs pet therapy and he rolls his eyes at me. My daughter and I dressed her up when she was a little puppy, but soon figured out that was more for our benefit than hers.

What I do know is that every year Inviting Smiles creates some of the most adorable Holiday Cards with photos of family pets. We can put a little paw print next to their name, and put your custom wording on the card. All of this for an affordable cost. We are determined that this economy will not keep our customers from sending out their Christmas wishes with style!

www.InvitngSmiles.com

Is it teething time for your little one? This can be a stressful time for the whole family. Here are some suggestions to soothe the pain:

Ibuprofen – Read the label carefully for the appropriate dosage.

Nursing – Nursing moms have noticed that teething children seem to be soothed by nursing.

Teething Rings (or the like), especially those that can be frozen, are helpful to get those stubborn teeth through the gums.

Frozen towel, or washrag – Supervise so the child doesn’t choke.

Plenty of Patience!!

www.InvitingSmiles.com

Thanks to Charles M. Schulz and his comic strip Peanuts, our little ones are still able to enjoy innocent, cute, age appropriate television with “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”.

What a fun evening of entertainment starting with this1966 classic television show produced by Bill Meléndez. Make a cute little Halloween treat to eat during the show. Then have some family fun time by carving your own jack-o-lantern.

Charlie Brown will always be a favorite for all ages. So, plan some fun time for the whole family to share. 

Click here for some Pumpkin Decorating Ideas:
http://blog.invitingsmiles.com/?p=237

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A toddler falling from a window is more common than we think. You may have heard the recent news of a toddler surviving after falling from a 3rd story window. Most children are not so fortunate. Many traumatic injuries and deaths are reported each year from children falling through windows.

The cooler weather of the spring and fall seasons, often prompt families to open their windows and enjoy the breeze. However, an adventurous and curious toddler can climb on furniture, boxes, or just about anything, and unintentionally push through the window screen.

Here are some safety steps to take:

• Supervise your toddler constantly, especially if there is an open window nearby.

• Do not depend on a window screen for safety. Most screens can be pushed out with little effort.

• Crack the window open slightly, rather than opening it wide.

• Keep climbing items such as furniture away from an open window. However, do not depend on this safety tip. Toddlers are creative. They can push and move blocks, or light-weight furniture and climb on top.

www.InvitingSmiles.com

Finding adorable infant Halloween costumes should be no problem. Infants are adorable anyway. Dress them up in a cute little costume and you are sure to receive many oohs and aahs!

From a little angel, flower, bumblebee, mouse, bunny, or ballerina, to a dinosaur, monkey, pumpkin, elephant, or lion, there are many adorable costumes to choose. Search your local stores and on-line stores for your favorite idea.

A cute family costume is Chief Daddy, Squaw Mommy and Papoose baby. Another would be to follow the “Lion King” theme, with a lion daddy, lioness mommy and baby Simba.

Be creative and take many photos to celebrate your baby’s first Halloween.

For Halloween safety tips, click here:
http://blog.invitingsmiles.com/?p=559#more-559

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Are you planning on a swine flu vaccine for your baby? 

The Swine Flu vaccine is especially recommended for children 6 months of age up to young adults 24 years of age, pregnant women, and people with asthma and/or other health problems that can be made worse by the flu. As always, people in the health care industry and childcare workers are also encouraged to get the vaccine.

Health authorities are now thinking that children younger than 10 may require two doses, so speak to your pediatrician about your child’s risks. Get your information now, so you will be ready when the vaccine is available for your family.

Click here for some more parenting advice: http://www.invitingsmiles.com/parenting-tidbits.html

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After reading about the 19 pound baby born last week, we can’t help but wonder what future affects the mother’s gestational diabetes will have on this very large baby. While many women with gestational diabetes (diabetes that only happens during pregnancy) deliver healthy babies, there are complications that may be of concern.
o As with this ‘toddler-sized’ newborn, excess growth is a possibility for the unborn baby. Delivering a very large baby is a problem of its own. Even though this baby was delivered via c-section, the doctor is noted as saying it was complicated because the baby’s body and legs were so large.
o Jaundice becomes a bigger threat as well. While this is manageable, the baby will be closely watched.
o The newborn’s blood sugar level will be closely monitored. Soon after birth, some of these baby’s blood sugar levels drop, causing hypoglycemia. This is usually controlled, or prevented, by prompt feedings, and if necessary glucose can be given intravenously.
o As with the mother, Type 2 Diabetes will be a concern for the baby later in life. It will be very important to teach this baby how to live a healthy lifestyle with exercise and good eating habits.
o Respiratory and future developmental problems are also concerns. 
We are happy to hear that this mommy and her baby boy are doing well. We wish them and their family the very best.
Click here for information on teaching your children to exercise http://blog.invitingsmiles.com/?p=601

www.InvitingSmiles.com

Once again, the holidays are approaching. Are you ready? If you are expecting a baby close to the holidays, we want to remind you that our holiday cards are easily made into holiday birth announcements.

Every year we have some of the cutest birth announcements created from our holiday card selection to serve the dual purpose of expressing your holiday wishes and announcing your new bundle of joy. 

We have some of the best prices for high quality cards that you will find. Check out our holiday card selection and remember, your can order your cards now to hold the price and send your photo later after the baby is born!

 http://www.invitingsmiles.com/holiday-announcements2.html

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What more do we need to know?

What more do we need to know to have proof that a fetus is directly affected by the alcohol consumption of it’s mother, than to hear of a baby being born with 6 times the legal limit of alcohol in it’s tiny little system.

After learning that last week was Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Week, I began to research more on the subject. When I started to read of baby’s being born drunk, it really disturbed me.

These tiny little newborns are at a high risk of having neurological disorders that will last them their lifetime. They may have nerve damage to their extremities (arms and legs) that has been known to last at least through their first birthday.

They are now categorized at being high risk for mental retardation and many, otherwise preventable, birth defects.

Many of these baby’s will also have facial abnormalities.

Moms, SHOULD NOT consume alcohol while pregnant, while trying to get pregnant, and while breast feeding.

www.InvitingSmiles.com