Bead It Up!

Here are a few ways you can use everyday beads to accessorize your little one:

1. Pacifier clip: make a loop in one end to attach to the pacifier and attach the other beaded end to a clip to latch on to baby's clothes. You can also make personalized clip holders with your favorite ribbon and a little Velcro. For pacifiers with loop holders, simply loop the beads or ribbon through the loop. Or, buy a simple attachment for pacifiers without holders.

2. Stretch bracelets: use stretchy bead wire to make a bracelet for your little one. This way you don't have to be as exact on sizing, and it is easy to get on and off flapping arms.

3. Clasp bracelets: measure your baby's wrist by making a circle with your thumb and forefinger. Adjust wire size appropriately and make allowance for the clasp.

*Always use very sturdy string or wire - if the beads break they could cause a choking hazard.

Natural Teethers

Here's a naturally delicious way to soothe your baby's teething crave ...

. Give baby sturdy fruits and vegetables to hold and suck on, like carrots, bell-peppers and apples.

Keep a close eye on your child to make sure a piece does not accidentally break off and cause a choking hazard.

My kids prefer fruits and vegetables to plastic teething toys. Plus, sucking on food rather than commercial teethers may stimulate taste-buds and help your child be more adventurous with food in the future.

Other suggestions:

1. Ashton & Parsons infants' powder, 'For Teething with a Smile." Wow! Does this stuff work and it is totally natural. The draw-back? It is difficult to find ... I bought mine in the London Heathrow airport ... here is a website that says they're in stock: boots.com

2. This is a great contraption built off of the al'natural idea. Plus, it eliminates the choking hazard and you can freeze the food - so your little ones gums will be even more relieved!

Wipe with Style

Turn your ordinary baby wet-wipes container into a diaper bag statement piece.
You'll need: a hot glue-gun, batting, fabric, ribbon and embelishments.
1. Hot glue batting to both sides of container - cut so batting barely reaches sides.
2. Hot glue fabric on top of batting, trip around edges. It is ok if there is not a perfect edge, since the finishing ribbon will cover uneven sides.
3. Hot glue decorative thick ribbon across one third of container.
4. Hot glue thin ribbon around sides of both top and bottom.
5. Add embelishments (gems, flowers, buttons) to top thick decorative ribbon.

What to do with those left over Christmas Cards

Make a photo album of left over family pictures. Children love to look at faces and recognize family and friends. Plus, no guilt if the pictures get ruined, since you would have probably thrown them away.

Other ideas:

1. make a bulletin board of pictures

2. string cards as drapes above windows

3. display cards on closed mini-blinds

We've Got Spirit, Yes We Do. We've Got Spirit, How About You?

Raising a toddler is hard work ... especially when they are "spirited," a term Ambyr uses to describe her active son.

Do parents with more-active-than-usual two-year-old carry anything special in a diaper bag?"A notepad for me to write things down on," Ambyr says, "and Luke loves to scribble on paper. Nail clippers, just in case. And of course, our favorite train, plane and auto-mobile."

Ambyr chose this Skip*Hop diaper bag because she likes the clips that attach to a stroller, and the messenger style bag.

"Parents of spirited children may find themselves in a Catch-22," Ambyr explains. "They want to get out with their children to help socialize their child, but they hesitate because their child doesn't play well with other kids."

Ambyr says getting out, joining a play-group or attending a mommy-and-me class is essential. "It takes a lot of pride swallowing," she explains, "because when your child miss-behaves other people really don't understand what it is like to be in your shoes."

So, what to do?

#1. One solution Ambyr offers is to start a play-group.

When her son was little, she organized a group of moms to meet weekly and rotate from house to house. "I loved that time," Ambyr says. "I loved talking with other moms and I loved having Luke play with other kids his own age."

As the children grew, the play-group moved to the park.

Recently Ambyr began an "ABC" school. "Basically it's a play-group with a purpose," she says. Once a week the children meet at some one's home and learn about a letter in the alphabet.

"My son wasn't ready for pre-school, and neither was I," admits says. "So when a friend mentioned this to me, I knew it was something I could do and wanted to start."

#2. Try a play-based class:

Ambyr formerly enrolled Luke in a "Little Hands" co-op program. "It was a great way for both of us to learn about socializing and kids," Ambyr says.

Now Ambyr and Luke enjoy a play-based art class together.

#3. Do things outside!

"It can be stressful trying to figure out what are appropriate activities," Ambyr explains. "We can not make it through story time at the library, and Luke does not like to sit still for long. The park is a great place to get out energy."

Book Suggestions:

Preschool Amanac by Ann Stiefel

The Blessings of a Skinned Knee by Wendy Mogel

Wonder of Boys by Michael Gurian

Raising a Son by Don Elium and Jeanne Elium

The Most Bang For Your Baby Bucks

Check out Sarah’s diaper bag – little books, little doll, a few diapers and such – no need for this mom of two to carry around a jumbo bag for her wee ones.
Little, or less, is key for Sarah. After all, baby gear (furniture, strollers, clothes, toys – you know the list) adds up quick and you could easily spend a small fortune on “stuff” for your little one.
Fortunately, Sarah is an expert at getting the most bang for her baby bucks. This crib and toddler bed … free from Craigslist.org. In fact, Sarah’s house is filled with fun accessories for young ones that she’s acquired for next to nothing.
“I like to find good deals,” Sarah says. “Why spend money when you don’t have to?”
Here are 10 Sarah Saving money tips:
#1 Hand-me-downs: Sarah’s siblings pass on clothes their kids out-grow. Since children change sizes so fast, most hand-me-downs are practically new. Plus, anyone who’s actually paid Janie and Jack prices for clothes, and then watches as a “blow-out” or temper tantrum in the dirt destroys the ensemble after less than one use, secretly swears to never buy new again. Be open to inheriting others toys and furniture too, Sarah suggests. This walker, rocker , and dresser were "out-grown" and passed on to Sarah's family.
#2 Borrow: Halloween costumes generally get worn once before they are outgrown from the original owner; so borrow from a sibling, friend, or neighbor. Borrowing works great for large items too; you don’t have to fork over the $$ and when you are done with it, you don’t have to store it. Plus, often you don’t know if your child will like the swing, exersaucer or bouncy seat until after they’ve used it for a while. (The pictured swing, exersaucer and bouncy are things I’ve borrowed or loaned out).
#3 Clearance rack: Sarah bought these clothes for less than $2 at Target on clearance. She says if you sign up for Child’s Place on-line, during your child’s birthday month you get an extra 20% off. By shopping clearance during those months, Sarah says she’s bought brand new shoes, dresses and outfits for 2-3 dollars a pop!
#4 Craigslist.org: boppy $4, bumbo $10, toy organizer $20. Sarah says she regularly checks out the ‘Baby & Kids’ and ‘Free’ postings.
#5 Ebay: brand new stroller $80 (with shipping).
#6 Consignment and second-hand-stores: Sarah says she findsdarling clothes and shoes at a fraction of retail costs. You can also find great toys, like this stroller for only $4.
#7 Coupons: Use them, you’ll save money. Sarah also uses frugalisfab.blogspot.com. “Just google ‘free samples’ or ‘coupons’ and you will find a lot of great resources,” Sarah says. She also suggests creating a separate ‘junk’ email account for online registering.
#8 Make toys: It's fun. "I think I enjoy making toys more than the kids," Sarah says. Use salt dough to make ornaments, create your own holiday decor and print out individual pages to color from the Internet rather than buying a whole coloring book.
#9 Make 'real' toys: Use things that are 'real' but you no longer need (like old library and grocery store cards) to make a play wallet for your child. Chances are, your little one will enjoy the 'real' wallet more than a fake. Old cell phones make great kid phones too.
#10 Keep your eyes open: Someone else’s trash can be your treasure. A neighbor put this toy out with the garbage. Sarah took it, cleaned it up and added batteries. “It works great,” she says. Another ‘dumpster-dive’ treasure: this outdoor sandbox.
Final Note:
Sarah cautions that not all good deals are worth your time and money; know what you need to purchase and aggressively find the best deal. “If it’s something we don’t need,” Sarah says, “no matter how cheap it is, it’s not a good deal.”