The Baby Gift Shoppe Blog

Looking for the Easter Bunnie!

Casey — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:15:45 +0000

Spring has Sprung soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo don’t hide inside any longer!!!!!!!

Get out there and enjoy the warmer temperatures and budding landscapes!

If you have a new spring Baby, you can get out there too and enjoy beautiful weather and sunny skies, just wrap baby in or underneath several layers so you can remove them when the temperatures rises or falls.

If you have a toddler why not think of planting a vegetable garden together!!! It’s a wonderful occupation and teaches many valuable lessons. Involve your toddler from the beginning, deciding what seeds to buy and where you will be installing your Garden. Go and get started, Tomatoes are easy and colorful with tasty salads in your future. Cucumbers are not difficult, and don’t forget those delicious Green Water Melons. They come in Big and Juicy in time for August!

Don’t forget your scarecrow! That is the most fun part, and no garden would be complete without one! Mr. Scarecrow could be large or small guess it depends on the size of your pumpkin patch (Oh I forgot to mention Pumpkin seeds), a Body, a head and lots of aluminum foil, and old over coat should do the trick! Don’t forget to take pictures!

Other fun things include picnics, outdoor Birthday party’s, and scavenger hunts, getting out there with some little friends and enjoying the company of them and their parents. Young ones at play will taste almost anything so keep a close eye out for doggie droppings and other unsuitable but attractive things!

Remember that the sun is our friend but also a merciless enemy! Break out the sunglasses and sun hats, some sun screen would not be unwelcomed, better to be safe than sorry.

Have a wonderful Spring and and don’t let the bumble bees sting!

Cabin Fever

Casey — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:49:37 +0000

Cabin Fever?

I bet you parents are starting to feel it now! Feels like you have been trapped inside with the young ones for years?

Take heart, spring is just around the corner and soon you will be spending fun outdoor time with your little one.

In the mean time do not despair just think about what we all enjoyed as children……………. Can’t think that far back? I’ll give you a hint…………… Other Moms coming to lunch with there children and play time for all the kiddies………….does it sound like too much work? Well really it does not have to be if one plans ahead.

Planning ahead means being realistic about the size of your home and how many people it will hold comfortably, deciding on a date, and seeing who is available to come. This play date does not have to cost you a fortune………..

For lunch you stick to the menu for the young ones squiggey processed food or if they have gotten some teeth, finger food nibbles bite size pieces of cheese-toasties/ cheese pizza etc….

The grown ups will be happy with a vegetable stew followed by salad and light dessert (most of this can be prepared the day before, so you can relax and enjoy your afternoon!)

Do not forget to enlist your invites to return the favor by hosting a play date at their homes too!

I can already smell spring-time it is just around the corner………………………….. Patience is a virtue

T’is the Season

Casey — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 09:49:37 +0000

Whether its New Baby’s first Christmas or your toddlers, the decisions you make now will define the rest of your Christmases together!

Shall we get them all excited about the Blinking Lights, Lots of Candy Canes, Lots of soon forgotten presents! Or the real spirit of Christmas, which is the Birthday date of the son of God (not Santa!), and the hope for world wide harmony. This is the real choice.

I have a friend who’s child is now grown and gone, and Mom just never fell into the whole Commercial concept of Christmas, so It was never celebrated in her home! No tree, No presents and just a modest dinner with perhaps a trifle for dessert! Her daughter never suffered and is a normal happy young adult!

Do know that over giving is not a good thing for young children, they get use to it and come to expect it every year, not concerned that the gifts they are asking for are more and more expensive as they get older.

The real Spirit of Christmas is the spirit of caring and giving to others. If you try to instill this concept from the beginning things should remain in the right perspective. Sit down with you child and put together a list of gifts that others might like, something for Grandma, something for Grandpa and don’t forget Aunté Alice. Why not try you and your childs hand at making Homade presents that will be extra special and cherished for years to come!

Your child will understand that it is better to give then to receive, and will never be disappointed.

No one is ever to young or to old to climb on to Santa’s lap to whisper in to his ear! But if the little ones seems teary eyed, do not force them! You will only end up with a terrible photo of Santa and your child and Santa phobia for years to come. If they don’t want to go you take their turn and show them how it’s done, I’ve done this myself and Santa as well as my child were delighted!

Well I guess that’s all I have to say now and wish you all a safe and Happy Holiday season…………See you all next year!

It’s not easy being green!

Casey — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:59:01 +0000

Forget the milk and cookies………………………Pass the Saltines and H2o!!!!!!!!

Morning sickness, is no laughing matter. Some future mothers get it and some do not, it’s simply the luck of the draw. Not suffering from this is certainly not a sign that something is a miss, but rather a blessing to be enjoyed!

I was one of those lucky ladies who never had to run to the toilet to save the bedroom carpet! I did however have many gal pals that suffered greatly, some even losing weight instead of putting it on in the first few weeks.

The good news is that morning sickness generally lasts for only the first trimester…..though in some rare cases it can last right up to the end. Lets try not to be negative now!

Here are some tips for getting through this difficult time…………Pass on Spicey and Greasy foods, even if you crave them! Go for water rich foods such as Grapes, Melons, any kind of Citrus fruits. Treat yourself to smoothies, natural yogurts, and don’t forget those cucumber sandwiches! Also anything with Ginger could help. You will have to experiment to see what works for you, but perseverance will eventually pay off!

Do keep a stash of saltines next to your bed with a bottle of lightly chilled water, this could be a real life saver and calm nausea really quickley.

I can also recommend a new product that has come on the market and is for sale on this very site. Preggie Pops, conveniant delicious tasting lollipops in flavors know to ease nausea. Each package of preggie pops comes with 7 lollipops. Sold in packs of 3 for a total of 21 pops.

Treat yourself or a green friend…………………………………….

what’s up Doc?

Casey — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 07:52:38 +0000

First visit to the doctors office

Now Ladies and Gentlemen, who knows how you have come to select your babies pediatrician, one might guess recommendation by a close friend or relative, maybe even the yellow pages! Mine was recommended by my father in law, who was a doctor and knew this pediatrician personally! We had to find one that spoke English of course this one did and to top it off it was a woman, possibly a mother like me……….Her name was Madame Seboune!

The big day arrived and I hurried through the morning dreading my sons appointment, what would this doctor reveal to me about my poor parenting skills, would she see that I was unsure about what I was doing etc…etc….?

I, clutching my 2 1/2 month old son was ushered into the office of the Doctor, to be greeted by a small woman anxiously puffing on a cigarette (don’t forget we are in Europe) Dr. Seboune! I was dumbfounded and even more surprised when she scooped my son from my arms and proceeded to carry him as one would carry a foot ball underneath her arm on her way to make a touch down on the examination table! I guess I looked like I might keel over in a dead faint so she gave me words of comfort and wisdom, “Don’t be afraid of the baby, they are very supple and there is very little that you could unintentionally do to one that would injure it!” I watched awe struck as she weighed, measured him, bended and pulled all of his appendages, with he not making the slightest sound of protest to his treatment! When she had finished she assured me that his weight was perfect, his proportions were also and that it looked like I was doing a good job! She then returned him to me proclaiming him to be a beautiful specimen!

She was the best doctor that I have ever encountered, she gave me confidence to trust myself to be a good care giver to my child, I figured that if she hadn’t injured him during that first examination I never could . Later I moved to another city and had to get a new doctor, but, will never forget that Lady!

So here is the thing, first visit don’t be surprised by what you might see or hear, and if you don’t like what you see or hear you can always try another doctor, if you do like the demonstration then hang on to this Doc as long as you can, not least for entertainment’s sake!

Bonjour Dear Readers!

admin — Sat, 03 May 2008 16:13:07 +0000

Welcome to Shoppe Talk!

Let me intoduce myself, my name is Casey, and I am coming to you direct from cyberspace. Actually, I’m really just sitting in my living room in Paris, France. I am from the great state of Indiana. But have lived all over the planet! Having settled here in France to raise my son & my daughter. I had to, because their father is French (lol).

I’ve come to realize that no matter where on the globe you are located…. all parents have the same thing that unites them…………….wanting to do what is best for their offspring .

So, let’s talk shoppe! Do you have any questions? This is intended to be a two way conversation. And, I’m looking forward to hearing from you. Want to share your photos of your baby with stories, hopes, fears and share any useful mommy/baby information. Okay… let’s get this rolling with this thought………………………………………………….

Where do babies come from? Remember that question? Who hasn’t heard it?!!!!

Are Babies simply an extension of our own selfish longing to be eternal?

Are Babies a declaration of Love for another human being?

Are Babies innocent pawns in the biological clock plot that exists in all of us?

Are Babies gifts from above?

Everyone must decide for themselves. What I have learned is that Babies arrive, expected or not,

homegrown or special delivery, early or almost too late, they come anyway! When they do, they are accompanied by tons of chaos, sometimes with special needs, sometimes without, and lots of fun!

Maybe we should all recognize them for what they are, precious little gifts from the sky.

The French have a saying ” Every newborn comes into this world with a loaf of bread under their arm.”

What it really means, is that with every new baby comes hope and opportunity. It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor, embrace it, and see it as another chance of getting it right!

Shoppe Talk, is being written by Casey Somia. Casey is a former model, who was born and rasied in the Midwest. In her early 20’s, Casey, went to Europe to pursue her modeling opportunities. She has appeared in such magazines as: Elle, Vogue, Marie Claire and Cosmopolitan. Casey, met and fell in love with a Frenchman, Didier. Within a few years, she settled in Paris permanently, and married. Later, Casey & Didier produced 2 beautiful children, Morgan, and Laura. Since motherhood, Casey has been a freelance writer. She adores writing, mostly children’s books, & short stories. Shoppe Talk, WELCOMES CASEY!