InvitingSmiles Blog

Many new parents may want to pierce their baby’s ears, or some may disagree with each other about this process, but the real question is, Should infant’s ears be pierced?

As with many decisions a new parent must make, there is no definitive answer to this question. There are religious reasons that may be a part of your decision to pierce your baby’s ears, or may be a part of your decision to not. There are cultural reasons to consider as well. (more…)

Yes, it is possible to have a natural delivery after a c-section, also known as a VBAC. This has actually been done for many years. My son is now 19 years old and was born via c-section. My daughter was born 3 ½ years later via natural childbirth.

Many women feel as though they have missed out on something if they never have a child ‘naturally’. However, the safety of the baby and mom should be most important. Every person and pregnancy is different, so you will need to consult with you doctor as to your risks if you try a VBAC. (more…)

Using personalized stationery with your name or initial is always a great way to send out a thank you note, so how personal and unique will it be to send out photo note cards! Make your thank you for all of those birthday, wedding, shower or retirements gifts special by including a photo on the front of your note cards.

One common item at most events is a camera. Either professional, or personal, photos will be taken to help create memories of the special occasion. Search through your photos and pick out that perfect one that will be the highlight of your thank you note.

* A child’s 1st birthday party note card may have a photo of your little one with cake on his/her face.
* A teen party note card can include a picture of the group of teens enjoying the party.
* A wedding thank you can have a photo of the bride and groom in full wedding attire.
* A shower note may include a photo of the pregnant mom, or the bride to be.
* A retirement party always offers great photos that could be included on a note card.

Whether it is gifts that you are sending a thank you for, or just a simple note to say hello, photo note cards are an excellent, unique and personal way to stay in touch.  

InvitingSmiles.com

How divorce affects children is directly related to how parents handle this very delicate situation. There are many things that parents can do to ease the pain that a divorce can cause. How you speak to your children and each other through this process will greatly affect your children’s perspective on what their future holds. (more…)

If your son has just announced his engagement to the love of his life, it may be helpful to know what the groom’s parents’ responsibilities are for the wedding. Here are some helpful hints:
* To start off on the right foot, establish contact with the bride’s parents. You may invite them to your home, or out for dinner at a nice restaurant. Let them know that you are interested in helping, but be careful not to cross the line. (more…)

Recently I was in need of some change of address cards. I wanted to be creative and design a card that was special for my mother’s move after 30 years in the same location.

My mother recently moved to an assisted living center and many of her long-time friends and neighbors were very concerned whether or not she was allowed to take her dog with her. So, I chose the photo card on the Inviting Smiles website called Christian PFA56041. I took a picture of my mom and her dog in their new home and put it on the card. I announced their new address and telephone number. I added a few paw prints to the card, ordered the glossy finish and had the perfect change of address card! (more…)

As a new parent you may wonder, when is it time to move from a Crib to a Bed? Most likely your toddler will let you know! If your little one starts to climb out of the crib, then falling, or tipping the crib becomes a possibility. Therefore, your baby’s crib is no longer a safe place.

When your child starts to pull up on the side of the crib rails, it is time to start paying close attention. Make sure the mattress is set at the lowest level. Be sure there is nothing in the crib (stuffed animals, toys, etc.) that the child may use to stand on to crawl out of the crib. There will be a time though, that the child has simply outgrown his crib, or can climb out even from the lowest mattress setting. (more…)

Feet and ankle swelling during pregnancy is common. The medical term for this is edema. Medterms.com defines edema as “The swelling of soft tissues as a result of excess water accumulation.”

Your growing uterus puts pressure on veins which can slow the return of blood from your legs. This slow return will cause a pooling of blood in your lower extremities. This pooling will then force fluid from your veins into your feet and ankle tissues, causing the edema. Once your baby is born and the pressure no longer exists, the edema will subside.  (more…)

Moms, have you ever been to the point that you want to just scream, “NO, I am overwhelmed!” Are you the volunteer parent that is seen at your child’s school more than the teachers? Does your church congregation think you’re an employee, not ‘just’ a volunteer? Do you find your workload getting behind, because of your inability to say “no” when asked for help? If you are finding yourself overwhelmed, it may be in your best interest to learn to say no! (more…)

Gastroesophageal reflux in infants is not something you would generally know about unless you, or someone close to you, have experienced this. This is a condition that is generally found in premature infants who have a weak or underdeveloped lower esophageal sphincter. The sphincter (the flapper) remains open when it should close, allowing the stomach contents to flow back up the esophagus causing projectile vomiting.

Esophageal refers to the esophagus which is a tube that connects the throat and stomach (the word for stomach is gastro) to the mouth. Reflux can be painful for your infant and may cause him to sleep poorly, cry constantly and either refuse to eat, or spit up what he does eat. This can be very hard for parents who have to deal with the medications, vomiting and special feedings, on top of the symptomatic problems of the baby. (more…)