momaroo's Momaroo

The Power of Music on Babies

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:39:00 GMT

The easiest thing I've ever done to encourage my little one's well being is play the right music. There have been countless studies done on increased brain activity/development in young children who listen to music, particularly Classical. The findings tout high levels of spatial understanding,focused learning and reasoning abilities in little ones regularly exposed to pieces by brilliant composers like Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, etc.

But more than I care about the intellectual effects, I love seeing the influence positive music has on my children's moods and attitudes about life. The emotional benefits will make any mother's heart sing: More Here...

Finding that Perfect Stroller! A Site With Stroller Reviews and Giveaways!

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:23:00 GMT

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I remember standing in the stroller aisles and eying the myriad range of strollers with intent suspicion. The perfect stroller seems to have always eluded me. I had a travel system when I first had my baby. My son of course absolutely hated it...and the fact that it took up half my trunk did not have me jumping with joy either. However, I loved the ease of the stroller and the ability to lug so much of baby stuff around and keep that little imp of mine occupied! And then I just went and brought the quick and easy umbrella stroller when he was a little older. But that was a nightmare, I went through 3-4 strollers which had one problem after the other when we finally decided to rid ourselves of all strollers when my son turned 3! More Here...

Surprise for Momma! -He Wasn't Asleep

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:44:00 GMT

Guest post by A Little Tipsy

We recently took the wall off of the little one's crib. We did not hear him get up from his nap. He was like a stealth tiger. We found him like this.

He found mommy's make up and nail polish. He is pretty talented if I do say so myself! More Here...

How Much TV is Too Much?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:46:00 GMT

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How much television is too much? I have baby-sat in households where TV is limited to an hour a day and households where a two-year-old was simultaneously watching cartoons on the TV and a movie on a portable DVD player. Working with such different families has led me to wonder how much TV I will allow my own children to watch once I become a parent. Below I will explore the good and the bad of TV time.More Here...

Great for Fall -Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cupcakes Recipe

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:21:00 GMT

Here's a fun little Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cupcake recipe that is pretty darn healthy (I think it's like 1 weight watchers point, no I am not on Weight Watchers, but my former co-workers who were loved these) and ridiculously easy! Oh, and did I mention yummy! My husbands co-workers (aka computer geeks) loved these!

Ingredients:
1 box spice cake
1 small can Pumpkin
1/2 bag of chocolate chips

Mix it up, put in cups and bake for 22 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. This will make about 20ish pumpkin cupcakes depending on how big you make them.More Here...

Working After Baby: What Did You Do?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:14:00 GMT

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My husband and I are expecting our first child, a sweet little girl that will hopefully come sometime in early February. We are absolutely thrilled!

When I was growing up my mom stayed at home with us three kids until my little sister went into kindergarten. She then went back to work part time (substitute teaching) and eventually when we were in middle school went back to work full time (chemist). When my husband was growing up his mom always worked at least part time. After she had his older sister she went back to school to get her RN degree, graduating just a few days before my husband was born (her graduation picture is adorable!). After he was born she went back to work full time.

I feel that we both had wonderful, caring and nurturing mothers, despite being raised differently in this aspect. More Here...

Sesame Street is 40!

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:03:00 GMT

Reading in one of the local papers and checking Wikipedia, it turns out Sesame Street turns 40 today, November 10. Google also gives reference to the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street.

I remember watching some of Sesame Street in the UK on television when I was younger, but don't really remember much about it apart from the theme song.

Did you ever watch Sesame Street when you were younger? Do your kids watch Sesame Street? Who were your favorite (or your child's favorite) characters and members on the show?

An Honest, Real Conversation about Miscarriage...

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:17:00 GMT

Momversation recently featured the below video about miscarriages. The video is one of the most honest and straight up pieces we've seen on miscarriages. It's such a hard topic to discuss but the genuine sincerity and openness of the women featured on the video provides a great way for us to bring up how miscarriages affect women. Please share your thoughts on the video with us.

Diaries of a Sleep Deprived Mom!

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:32:00 GMT

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There was an era ages ago when I could go to sleep and stay asleep through the night.. undisturbed, unruffled, unpushed and my comforter stayed on me till I chose to toss it in the morning.. that day is long gone! My sleepless nights began when I decided to have a kid.. I struggled with insomnia through my pregnancy while I pushed the hubs to the limits as well...when I turned the air conditioning to dangerously low temperatures and he wore layered clothes and stayed wrapped in blankets (brings back images of Father of the Bride -2)! Still I found it too warm to sleep.. and kept loitering about the house mumbling to myself and the little thing playing football in my tummy! "How many times do I have to tell you.. that is not a football field... now do you mind coming out just yet?" No wonder men hold babies like they would a football, oh well I did too for a while! More Here...

Lovely Gifts for Mom: Necklace Edition

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:24:00 GMT

I remember growing up and trying to buy my mom jewelry to express my love for her. My poor mother sweetly accepted the hideous "mom" jewelry I purchased from Service Merchandise (do you guys remember that store?) with a big smile on her face. Secretly, I'm sure she thought 'Oh no! Not another #1 Mom necklace charm.'

Thankfully, nowadays moms have it a little better with all the awesome online retailers, Etsy shops and awesome custom design stores. Here are a few whimsical pieces we've come across that we ourselves would love to receive:

Figs & Ginger Nestling Necklace

This sweet necklace with darling baby birds is sterling silver and great for eco-conscious moms that'd appreciate the 50% recycled metal in them. We love that the baby birds can be added with each new addition to the "nest." Starts at $70. More Here...