Naming a baby is easy. All you have to do is think of a name that would suit him or her and viola, the child will carry it all throughout its life. Some pressure. Relax though, naming a baby should not be difficult. Just make sure that whatever name you come up with will suit the baby up until the baby becomes a full-fledged adult. The following are helpful tips to make baby naming a fun, enjoyable work. Know what you want and do not want Early on, it is best that you decide what kinds and types of name do you want to call your baby. Do you imagine yourself shouting “Ralph!,” “Amanda,” “Edward, or “Paul?” What you call your baby now is what he or she will be called for life. So decide where and how you want to go about choosing names. Do you prefer a more traditional route or would you want to choose from a list of unusual baby names?
Ask family and friends To probably give you an idea on the names you might want to call your child, ask around or interview relatives and get to know your family tree as well as your partner’s. If there are those people whose lives have touched you or those who have played a significant if not meaningful part in your lives, you may consider their names. Make sure though that both you and your partner agree to such a condition and that it is a name both of you will like. Make a list and check it twice Another option you could do is making a list of your personal favourite artists, actors, actress, places, characters from novels, movies or plays or from history or art, mythology, etc. It would be best if such names or places have a significant meaning to you and your partner. If you and your partner considered the capital of France as the place where you definitely fell in love, proposed, (or where the baby was made), name the child Paris (at your own risk of course). Know your lineage In struggling to come up with a beautiful baby name, take this opportunity to also know your family’s heritage as well as your partner’s. Would you want to have a specific ethnic sounding name for your baby? It may also be a chance for you to acknowledge or recognise your own or your partner’s nationality. Buy a baby name book This cuts out the effort, sweat, toil and tears of having to come up with a unique name or in looking for one. Through a baby name book, all you have to do is open its pages, close your eyes and let your finger do all the walking. Wherever your eyes or your finger rests on may be the name that you might be looking for all yourlife. Be careful though and always feel free to change your mind just in case your finger rests on a Bartholomew or a Willamina. The best way to go about this process is by highlighting the names you or your partner prefers. Then start from there. Look at the big picture Now that you may have a probable list of names, try to check how they stack up against the last name of the baby. First and last names that rhyme really do not sound too good. Long names are really not preferred, imagine how your child will write his or her name or introduce him or her self during their first day of school. Also, try to avoid any names, the nickname of which may be unflattering. All in all, naming a baby is supposed to be a fun thing to do. Enjoy it, until the child grows up and become old enough to legally change it on its own.
As you probably know, baby expense should be high on your list of things to plan for, before the baby comes. There is no cheap way to have and raise a baby: it takes sweat, work, lots of cash, patience, and more to have a happy, healthy baby. But if you waited until you had enough money, time and energy to have your baby, you would probably end up without any children. Here you'll find a few ways to ease the finances so that you can enjoy your new bundle of joy. 1. Breastfeed your baby, if possible. It's free, it's convenient, and it might help against breast cancer. It's recommended as being the best form of nutrition for baby. If you can't breastfeed, don't feel guilty. You can also save money by buying formula in bulk, clipping coupons, and accepting free samples whenever they are offered. This is a baby expense you can't do without. 2. Nappies - Some nappies are better than others, but most are basically the same. Store brand ones can be just as good as the big name brands, and for cheaper. You can save even more if you use cloth diapers instead of disposable. A little more work involved, but well worth it. 3. Baby food - When it comes to baby food, a blender is your best friend: it will help you keep this baby expense at its lowest. Not only is it much cheaper, but it's so much healthier! Save the little baby food jars for quick trips, or special occasions, and give your baby pureed food made by you. You can cook a week's supply on the weekend, put the blended vegetables in the ice cube tray, for a few hours, and then place them in a freezer bag. Depending on your baby's appetite and age, you can microwave one, two or three cubes before meal time. It's quick, healthy and inexpensive. 4. Clothing - There is no need to buy expensive designer clothing for your little one. Do you think anyone will really notice that your baby is wearing Tommy Hilfiger? Babies look cute in anything: don't waste your money! You can save even more by looking around some of the nearly-new sales as babies don't get to wear everything! 5. Toys - they are big business, but you don't have to feel pressured to get the latest and most expensive models. My kids were happy with everyday items as their toys: empty shampoo bottles (make sure they are cleaned and rinsed very well before handing them to your baby), plastic bowls, plastic containers from food products that they could stack up, etc. Also, buy some toys that will help with your baby's development, are durable, and are age appropriate: a baby expense worth the money!
There are many many more - what are your favourites?
Oh my goodness, look at Jessica the little cutie! Who had not one but TWO awesome outfit changes for her Cake Smash Photoshoot. Little Jessica is dairy-free and our wonderful cake maker had no problem at all in dealing with Jessica's allergies and she LOVED IT.
Afterwards we cleaned up Jessica in the bath-tub part of the session - she loved splashing around but loved posing more - and how much does she suit that beautiful blue colour!
Thank you mummy and daddy for bringing Jessica to me for her Cake Smash!
Celebrating the upcoming birth of a child by arranging a baby shower has become more and more popular. What better way to celebrate the arrival of a new little person to the world, than to have a nice little party for close friends and family. It is customary to bring the new parents and their baby some gifts on this joyous occasion, and in this post we will look at some appropriate the gifts that will prove truly useful. When buying gifts for a child, toys are usually the first thing that springs to mind. However, there are also many other items that are suitable. Also, remember that baby shower gifts need not only be for the baby. It is equally thoughtful to get something for the parents to be.
Buying toys If you have decided to purchase a toy, or at least something playful, consider buying something that is educational and will boost the baby's brainpower. There is a rich selection of classic baby books and educational cd's and DVD's to choose from. You may even find that some of the favourites from your own childhood are still available in reprinted edition, as well as books from many new authors. Choose books with many bright and bold pictures in them. As for actual toys, there are many entertaining alternatives available. If you find something you like, you can certainly buy a toy for older babies that the baby can use when it grows a bit older. But just to be safe, stick to the toys for kids aged 3 and under. Practical gifts for baby and parents Some people are under the impression that a gift can't be something "useful and boring". However, while something like nappies may not be the most fancy gift to give for a baby shower, it would definitely be a most thoughtful gift and most appreciated. Nappies are expensive and babies will use them up very quickly. The new parents will appreciate them. Even those parents who opt to use cloth may also find disposable nappies useful when travelling. A tip when buying nappies, pick the larger size ones instead of newborn. After all, babies nowadays grow very fast and the newborn-size nappies may not be useful for very long. And while you are at it, why not thrown in some baby wipes as well. Since hygiene is so important for little infants, a nice selection of baby bathroom essentials would also make a very thoughtful present. This does not have to be "boring" at all, as there are many things like cute baby puppets that may also double as scrubbing tools, or bubble bath with a soothing lavender scent will make bath time an entertaining experience for both the baby and parents. A hooded towel and some sweet smelling baby lotion is also suitable bath time goodies gifts.
Finally, clothes is something that every baby needs - and will grow out of quickly. For this reason it may be a good idea to choose somewhat larger sizes than newborn sizes. Knowing the season the baby will arrive, and if at all possible the baby's gender, is also most helpful in choosing the clothes that will be just right. If you, in spite of all these ideas and suggestions, can't come up with anything that you think would make an appropriate gift, a last resort could be to simply give the new parents a gift certificate for buying what they want themselves. Overall, it is also a good idea to speak with some of the other guests of the baby shower well before the event takes place. You wouldn't want EVERYONE to bring disposable nappies, would you?
Want to make sure your marriage doesn't end up on the rocks before you get down the aisle? Then set a realistic wedding budget -- and stick to it.
In the process of planning a wedding, budget concerns often is a source of disagreement for a couple. They may have different ideas about what kind of wedding they want, and about what they can afford. To make the wedding a truly happy occasion, it is important that the couple discusses financial constraints early. Set A Budget And Save For It The first tip is - discuss finances before the wedding plans begin. Everyone involved in the decision-making process needs to understand exactly how much money is available for the wedding. To maximize that budget, you should start saving early for your wedding. Advance planning and saving will allow you to maintain or even exceed your budget, comfortably. And that will make wedding planning easier and more fun. Get Everyone On-Board Once your wedding budget has been established, set it aside for a few days and then review it again. This gives everyone a chance to let the information sink in. The budget review after this waiting period gives the participants a chance to verify that they understand and agree to the budget. This is vitally important, because someone who does not agree with the budget may overspend in 1 area, leaving the rest of the budget in jeopardy. Budget Line Items When you've decided exactly how much money is available for your wedding, the next step is to divide the total into budget categories, such as the venue, food and drink, bride's attire, groom's attire, transportation, entertainment, photography, favours, centerpieces, and gifts. It is also advisable to set aside money for unforeseen expenses. Who Pays Part of establishing a budget is to be clear on who will pay for what. Shopping Around You will need to look around to find who will fall within your budget which is why this is best for you to known how much you have to spend on each one.
It's wise to shop around and compare prices for services. A company may come highly recommended, but if they are outside your price range, let them know why you are going to have to choose another company. Substitute Creativity For Cash Doing things on your own is another way to stay under budget. Homemade invitations or making your own favours or centerpieces can greatly reduce the wedding cost, freeing up funds for other areas of the wedding. Do not fall into the trap of viewing your budget as restrictive. Instead of thinking about what you can't afford, focus on how you can make your wedding and reception truly unique. You will be inspired to create a wonderful, memorable wedding regardless of your budget constraints. Anticipate The Unforeseen Realise that there are bound to be snags along the way. If you go over budget in 1 area, you will need to cut the budget in another area. As long as you stay aware of your spending and realise the ramifications of all your actions, you can roll with the punches and alter your plans to accommodate any needed changes. Make It A Wonderful Memory A wedding budget can cause emotional strain on a couple and their relationship. It is important for them to discuss their finances and establish a clear budget for their wedding plans. Doing this early in the wedding planning process can help the couple to avoid conflict during the planning phase of the wedding. It can also make the wedding more fun for everyone, and start out the marriage on a positive note. After all, working together is what a marriage is all about.
With announcements, you're declaring to the world that you're preparing to take your place in the adult world by taking on the awesome responsibility of caring for a new child.
Yes, a birth announcement looks simply like a notice that someone new has been born into the family. Putting a picture into the announcement lets people take a peek into the change in your life. It also allows family members to play the "he has your uncle Henry's nose" and her mother's eyes" type games. It never ceases to amaze me how people can see other people in a newborn whose features are still moving into shape from the birth. Older people are especially susceptible to reflecting on the meaning and changes of a new child being brought into the world. Some may reminisce about their own children's births and the challenges faced. Some may remember fondly the parents of that newly minted child when they were children themselves. And of course, there will be some that are just thankful that they don't have any children of their own. Little do they know what they're missing. Birth announcements usually are more formal and many include a picture. These are sent out by the parents to update friends and family of the birth of the newest member of the family. Do not ignore sending these announcements or consider them unnecessary. They're important on so many levels to so many people that it's difficult to completely understand how critical they are to tie a family together no matter how far apart they live. They tell the people in your world that you, the parents, have taken on a new and important responsibility.
The greatest thing about getting ready for a newborn baby is to purchase clothes for the baby. The little clothes are delightful and are capable of softening anybody’s heart at all times. If you have got some concerns in relation to whether you would be a fine dad or mum, simply catch a glimpse of an adorable ‘Onesie’ – whatever thing that fits someone so little just cannot be troublesome!
When buying for new clothes for your baby, you need to keep one thing in mind and that is that your newborn baby will require plenty of the clothes. The main 7 belongings, which your baby has got to have, are given below - 1. Nappies - I cannot even start to let you know about the countless number of nappies that your baby would require, nevertheless simply purchase them in a bulk. Try out the disposable types as well as the cloth - find what works for you! 2. Onesies - These are one-piece outfits somewhat similar to coveralls or overalls and look forward to seeing your newborn baby spend lots of time in Onesies. Pick up Onesies, which can be opened with no trouble and fixed firmly in order that you can switch the baby’s clothes with minimum energy.
3. Cotton tees - These tees along with cotton skirts or shorts, are perfect for within the house. Do not forget to purchase a lot of tees since they will require repeated changing. 4. Sleep-ins – Sleep-ins are similar to pajamas and sleepers to be worn at night and they are comfy to sleep in and also keep the baby protected from some light wind. 5. Warm clothes - Put in a few warm clothes similar to fleece wear and sweaters in the baby’s wardrobe for the reason that they call for lots of shelter from chilly weather conditions. 6. Hats and Caps - Perhaps not a lot of them, nevertheless do purchase a few caps in order to keep the baby’s head away from the breeze. 7. Mittens - During winters you cannot go without them, nevertheless set aside a few cotton mittens for the summer season in order that the baby does not graze himself/herself with his/her own nails. Newborn babies at times do that, honestly.
Well would you look at gorgeous little Bobby who came in for his first birthday cake smash. How adorable is he!? Bobby came prepared with his bunting and "One" whilst the cake was made to match his nursery theme.
All our cakes are made to order and are super squishy. Afterwards we finished off with our splashtime fun - which Bobby totally Loved!
Thank you mummy and daddy for bringing him in for his Cake Smash! :)
With newborn babies it is accepted that they will get up many times during the night, but as they get older it isn't. It is frustrating for all concerned if the baby goes to sleep after a big effort and then keeps waking. It's classed as a big achievement if the baby sleeps throughout the night. However, if the baby is not sleeping well then you must start thinking about his daytime activities and how these are affecting his sleeping pattern.
The baby’s biological clock is not yet set up and if you don’t set a routine for them they find it difficult to settle down. Therefore you must follow a fixed pattern. They automatically begin to understand when they are supposed to play and when to sleep and so on. When they are small we help them by setting a routine and we follow the routine as far as possible. For instance, in the mornings they can learn that it is bath, then feed, and then play. At evening they can learn that a story, feed and then lullaby is bedtime routine. If you follow this pattern for a while then the kids start remembering it. You must also keep track of the times your baby has slept during the day. They may not go to bed at night because he may not be tired enough. You must play sufficiently with them to make them tired by the end of the day. You must also help them in discovering new things and stimulate them during the day. If you are not doing so, then you may have to change your own habits. It is good for the baby if you can take them somewhere during the day. You may take the little one to your friend’s house, or to a park or even to the shopping mall. The baby loves the change and is stimulated too. It is something great for them when they see new things and the effort is tiring for them. Thus, they sleep well at night. With the passage of time their bed time fussiness will go away and you will not have to bother about it anymore. That is the best part of it all.
All the couples want a dreamy wedding, so they are planning a wedding for months if not years. There are many things to take care of, here are some wedding planning tips to help you.
Start planning long before the wedding The first important thing is your budget. Hire things that you can only have one of, such as Photographers, Car Hire where necessary a caterer if your venue doesn't have it covered. Your budget will also help complete a guest list. If you cannot afford too many people - it will lower your guest list. In addition, the bride's wedding dress and the groom`s suit are the most important clothes from a wedding. So make sure you buy or hire the one you love.
Notice everything in detail
To make a general idea on what should you do, is to visit some wedding shows. This way you can plan your wedding as you should. There are so many things that are important, so remember to take some notes from those wedding shows.
Also, some couples tend to choose a theme for their wedding. Some choose to give a traditional look on their wedding; others prefer a vintage style, and so on. You can do about everything you want, as it is your wedding, a one-in–a lifetime moment.
Picking out baby names is one of the first things that a couple can do in planning for their new arrival. The most common way to find the best selection is through a book of baby names or through the annual announcement of the most popular baby names being given to newborns. When selecting baby names, it is important that the couple choose a name that they both are fond of and will be proud to place on the birth certificate. Many infants are named after one parent or the other, grandparents or other family namesakes. Choose a name that fits well with the child’s last name. It doesn’t matter whether baby names are short or lengthy, but how they sound together will follow the child throughout their life. When deciding on a middle name, say it to yourself and aloud several times. And, you can even write it down on paper and see how it looks. Either of these exercises will give you a good idea as to how the full name will look and sound. It’s a good idea to select a name that is unique. While there are certain baby names that are very popular for newborns, it is nice to give your child a name that is not so common and may set them apart from the rest. There are a large number of uncommon, but beautiful, baby names that are ideal. When choosing baby names, it’s nice to select one that sounds classy and elegant. One of the best ways of accomplishing this is to read the meaning behind each name. Did you know that all baby names have a meaning behind them? Many parents not only look at the name itself, but of it’s meaning and definition to help guide them toward a decision. If a child was unplanned, but a nice surprise nonetheless, perhaps a name that is inspired by luck or good fortune would be one befitting of your little one. If your new child is one that was hoped for over a long period of time, then a name that is inspired by hope and a blessing would be the perfect of all baby names.
New parents face many problems and issues that they are expected to understand and deal with immediately. Unfortunately, newborns do not come with an instruction book so here are a few topics that you may need to know about.
Bathing your baby Until your baby’s umbilical cord falls off one to two weeks after their birth, only give her sponge baths. After the stump falls off, you can give him a bath in a sink or shallow tub. Caesarian delivery A caesarian is usually performed to make delivery safer for you or your baby. C-sections can be done for many different reasons including stalled labour, complicated labour, problems with the baby that may make delivery difficult, or other problems. It does not matter if you deliver vaginally or by a caesarian section, you are still a mother with a beautiful new blessing. Circumcision Many doctors agree that there may be some benefit to circumcision, but it may not be absolutely necessary. It may help to lower the risk of urinary tract infections and eliminates just about any chance of penile cancer. Circumcision does not cause long-term emotional problems for your child. Crib death (SIDS) Many studies have been done regarding SIDS. Although the cause of SIDS has not been definitely defined, there are some correlations that have been made between SIDS and the following things: Male babies are more likely to die from SIDS than females Prematurity makes it more likely Minority children are affected by it more often than non-minorities More children of young, single mothers die from it Children who live in a home with one or more smokers are more likely to be affected We hope this helps X
I wanted to share this gorgeous little snuggly one's images from her session. I absolutely love meeting newborn babies - but I love meeting people who've been recommended to me.
Gorgeous little Evelyn'smummy was looking for a Newborn Photographer and was told about me by a lovely Wedding Photographer called Katherine! I love how we can all recommend to each other. I love my job.
As you can see from the images little Evelyn was very well behaved for her photoshoot - and she was just so doll-like and cute!
And just look at those gorgeous little details!! ARGHH!
Thank you for choosing me to take Evelyn's first photoshoot!
Celebrating the upcoming arrival of a new baby is exciting but at the same time, it's often a situation in which both parents can feel much anxiety. These feelings of anxiety are especially strong for first-time parents. There is so much to know and so many different items are needed to provide proper infant care. The idea of the baby shower came about as both a special time for family and friends to be together before the baby's arrival and also to help relieve the financial burden on parents-to-be by supplying them with many of the new gadgets, furnishings and accessories they'll need once their baby arrives. And even though today most people prefer to break out of the 'traditional' mould, when it comes to a baby shower, these events for the most part still adhere to traditional guidelines. Probably one of the biggest changes to the baby shower format is that they're no longer exclusively for women. Plenty of men make it onto today's baby shower guest list and those who are invited don't come grudgingly. While they might not play in all the baby shower games, men do enjoy the opportunity to give their regards to the expectant mother- and father-to-be. In some parts of the world the baby shower is actually held after the baby is born. This makes sense since a baby shower is a celebration of the baby and guests enjoy actually seeing the one who is being celebrated. It's also easier to select gender-appropriate colours and gifts and should the gift need engraving, guests have all the delivery details they need. Having the baby shower after the baby's birth does make sense, but it's a very busy time for new parents. Plus, many of the baby items the expectant parent(s) need are needed as soon as the baby arrives home. That's why scheduling the baby shower before the baby's birth is the more common option. Every shower involves the same activities. Guest lists and invitations need to be created and mailed. The shower location needs to be decorated. Guests expect to be entertained so food, drink and games need to be coordinated. A baby shower can be a big to-do with lots of little details to coordinate and every detail is going to cost money. That's why it's highly advisable for whoever is hosting the shower to put together (and stick to) a workable budget. Pulling off a successful special event like a baby shower doesn't take special talent, it takes a well-thought-out plan that includes a timeline and a budget.
Wedding invitations are one of the most important purchases that the bride and groom must make during their wedding planning. These give the guests all of the information they need in order to make plans to attend the wedding. Follow these basics to ensure that all of the proper information is included with the wedding invitations.
Choosing wedding invitations that mesh with the theme of the wedding is one of the factors that the bride and groom must consider. If the wedding is formal, then the invitation should convey this, just as it should if the wedding is casual. If the wedding has a particular theme or colour scheme then it should be incorporated into the wedding invitations. This is all important because the guests will know what to expect at the event and will dress appropriately.
The wedding invitations are most important because they give guests all of the necessary information. These should be printed with the full names of the bride and groom, the date, time, and location of the ceremony. It should also include information about the reception if it is different than the ceremony information. This will ensure that guests have all of the information they need in order to attend the wedding. Since many of the guests will be distant family and friends, the wedding invitations need to accurately convey this message. Along with the wedding invitations, the guests will need a way to respond whether or not they will be attending the wedding. This information may be included on the invitation or may be included as a reply card in the envelope. The reply card should include a place for the guests to include their names, whether they will be attending the wedding or not, how many people will be attending, and which meal they prefer if are choice is given. This should be included with a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the reply card to be returned. They might also consider having their return address preprinted on the wedding invitation envelope as well as the reply card envelope. This is an inexpensive addition that will save the bride and groom time in addressing their wedding invitations. They may also include information about hotels and nearby attractions for out of town guests. In addition, the bride and groom may include directions to the ceremony and reception. All of these are important considerations when purchasing wedding invitations. This is one of the most fun purchases that the bride and groom will make while wedding planning. It will put their wedding date in writing and make their wedding feel more real, especially as the guests start responding! Wedding invitations are one of the most crucial parts of a wedding and so the bride and groom should put a lot of thought and effort into choosing the right ones!
