American Academy of Pediatrics Releases New Guidelines on the Importance of Reading to Babies

I have always been a staunch believer in the importance of reading stories to babies.  When I was pregnant with my son, I read to my growing belly every day, and when he arrived nine months later, my husband and I continued to read to him, as this bonding experience with our little baby meant a great deal to us.  And, even though they may not have the capacity to learn to read during this stage in their life, this early exposure to books during their infancy will not only lead them on the path to developing those all-important early speech, language and phonemic skills, but you are helping to open the doors to furthering their imagination through the wonder that only books can bring.
     Kudos to Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, medical director of the Wisconsin chapter of Reach Out and Read (a nonprofit literacy group that enlists over thousands of pediatricians throughout the United States to distribute books to low-income families), Too Small to Fail (a joint effort from the nonprofit Next Generation and the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation) and Scholastic for working together on furthering this vital cause.
     http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/24/us/pediatrics-group-t

Summer Safety Tips to Protect Your Little Ones

     The hot, lazy days of summer are once again upon us, and it is time to enjoy all those family favorite warm weather activities.  Amidst all of the outdoor fun, be wary of too much exposure and exercise in times of high heat and humidity.  Parents and caregivers everywhere should be on the lookout for signs of potentially serious and even life-threatening heat-related illnesses in their children.   With this in mind, the AAP has recently issued a series of tips to help keep your little ones safe during this season!

http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/Pages/Summer-Safety-Tips.aspx

Crosse & Blackwell Sauces

     Trying to find sauces that are gluten-free to help with my dietary restrictions, has, needless to say, always been a challenge.  Due to my dietary issues, I have attempted to make homemade sauces, like cocktail sauce, on my own, but I have never quite been able to attain the right balance of sweet and heat.  However, when our family was recently given the opportunity to try out several Crosse & Blackwell products, including their cocktail sauce, I jumped at the chance to try out their brand for our upcoming Christmas Eve dinner and beyond. 

    

While preparing our seafood dinner this Christmas Eve,  I started to assemble the shrimp cocktail, and when I poured the Crosse & Blackwell Seafood Cocktail Sauce into my individual dishes, I noticed right away that the sauce was medium in texture (not too thick, but yet, not watery) .  When I took a taste before serving, I found that the tomato base was accented well with vinegar, Worcester sauce, and with just a hint of horseradish, which was to my family’s delight, this slightly sweet , tangy tomato sauce perfectly  complemented our freshly cooked shrimp.  With the addition of a squirt of fresh organic lemon juice to my appetizers,  this sauce will definitely be used again for our annual Christmas Eve dinner of seven fishes (I am half Italian, and this is a tradition in our family).

For dinner at our house this evening I served the Crosse & Blackwell Genuine Major Grey’s Chutney alongside homemade chicken patties, and I was at first, wary of serving it, as my picky husband and son don’t like to eat a lot of condiments.  But, I was determined to make them fans, and when my son took a look at the chutney, he decided to give it a try.  With a quick taste, the sound of “Umm, this IS good,” coming from my son’s lips, I was astonished!   Thick, and full of deliciously vibrant mangoes, sweet, plump raisins, with bold accents of lime and tamarind juice, vinegar and subtle sweetness from sugar, the chutney was a delicious counterpart to our meal. 

 

     Crosse & Blackwell products can be found in Whole Foods Markets, The Fresh Market and Publix stores nationwide and online.  For further information, please visit their website at: http://www.crosseandblackwell.com/

 

aden + anais Up, Up and Away Classic Swaddle blanket

     Let’s face it─ whether you’re having your first baby or your third, all moms can agree that their little ones require a lot of clothes and accessories.  So, when the time comes to pick out blankets for your baby, you may think that it will be a piece of cake, right?  Not necessarily, as the choices you’ll have to make for your little one are plentiful.  Between blankets designed specifically for baby’s protection against the harsh elements of weather, receiving and swaddling ones’─ it’s very easy for parents to become overwhelmed with all of the different types of brands and varieties available.  

    

When I recently received a sample set of the new aden + anais® Up, Up and Away classic  swaddle blankets, I couldn’t get over the multitude of good uses that this set provided.  They work perfectly as a stroller cover on a sunny day; a handy shield for breastfeeding; and if all your burb cloths are in the laundry, they make a perfect substitute.  Made from 100% cotton muslin, these  four soft swaddle blankets are breathable, helping to reduce the risk of your little one overheating.  Their generous size (47” x 47”) makes swaddling very easy (each set also includes written instructions and illustrations on how to safely swaddle your newborn) to attempt.  Their durability was a standout, as they easily withstood numerous trips to my washing machine.  To my surprise, the more I washed the blankets, the softer they felt, making them an ideal snuggle blanket companion as your baby grows and possibly develops an attachment to the sense of security that a blanket provides.

     The aden + anais® Up, Up and Away classic swaddle blanket set features adorable tiny turtles being lifted by umbrellas soft pastel colors of pale and light greens and tans. Other aden + anais® sets are designed with delightful patterns depicting friendly little critters including frogs, bumblebees, caterpillars and fish, in all different colors.  They easily combine with all of your baby gear, and they will quickly become an essential addition to your little one’s wardrobe.

     Retailing at $49.95, the aden + anais®  Up, Up and Away Classic swaddle blanket collection can be purchased at specialty retailers nationwide or online.  For further information, please visit their website at: http://www.adenandanais.com/default.aspx

Modest Momma's Annual Holiday Gift & Stocking Stuffer Spotlight- #1-Crayola Photo Mix & Mash

    

     Finding the best toys and gifts for your children during the holiday season can be, well, let’s face it, extremely rewarding yet overwhelming.  So many questions come to mind─ Is this toy going to be fun?  Is it safe for my four year-old?  Does it help to teach my little one phonics and most importantly, will it last past the holidays?               

     Modest Momma will once again shine a bright spotlight not only on some of this year’s hottest new ‘must have’s’ but will offer you with unique, creative, educational and fun choices for children of all ages.  Hopefully, your family will find some new ideas!    

                            Happy Holiday wishes to you and yours!

 

Modest Momma’s Musings Holiday Gift/Stocking Stuffer Spotlight#1

Crayola Photo Mix & Mash

    Calling all photographers-to-be!  Your kids can take their everyday photos and turn them into completely unique, vibrant masterpieces using virtual Crayola-based crayons, markers and pencils.  Simply put, you can take photos and change the dimension; stretch it or cut and paste the photo onto a new background) around.  It is easy for your kids to print your new designs and/or share their photos with their friends in the digital gallery.   Created for Touch Tablets & PCs with Windows 8 capability; iPad/iPad mini; Android Touch Tablets, the Crayola Photo Mix & Mash comes with a digital pen, stamper, morphing took and a handy storage pouch to hold all of these accessories.

Crayola Photo Mix & Mash

For ages 6+up

Retails for $19.99

The Crayola Photo Mix & Mash can be found in Target stores nationwide and online.  For further information, please visit Crayola’s website at: http://www.crayola.com/

New Study Reveals that Bedtime Battles May Lead to Behavior Issues

   


  Bedtime─ For many families, it’s almost like playing a constant game of tug-of-war.  Player number one in this ultimate battle of wills is a stubborn, yet adorable little girl who thinks that your bed is far better than her Cinderella bed, and refuses to go to sleep.  Player number two, an exhausted mom or dad who is about ready to throw in the towel and seek refuge in the comfy pink ruffles of an uncomfortable toddler bed.  This ongoing struggle with maintaining a steady bedtime may leave your little one (and, let’s face it, you too!) feeling tired and cranky during the day.  These patterns of inconsistencies at bedtime, according to the results of a new study published in the November edition of the medical journal Pediatrics, has the potential to lead your little ones down a road towards behavioral issues.   

     Researchers analyzed data from over 10,000 children in the UK Millennium Cohort Study, with bedtime data collected with children who were three, five and seven years old, respectively, as well as reviewed reports from the children’s mothers and teachers regarding behavioral issues.  The researchers found a distinct pattern as the children moved through their early childhood years without a regular bedtime in place, their behavioral scores deteriorated. However, children who were observed to have switched to a regular bedtime pattern showed remarkable improvements in their behavior.   The researchers, led by lead author, Yvonne Kelly, professor of lifecourse epidemiology at University College London, concluded that as the study shows that the effects of inconsistent bedtimes are reversible, pediatric specialists should attempt to inquire about their young patients sleep disruptions as a routine part of a well-child visit.

My Brave Year of Firsts: Tries, Sighs and High Fives by Jamie Lee Curtis & Laura Cornell

Those special first moments of our childhood--the first haircut; first day at school; first (and last) time I ate peas; first friends made.  During my own experiences reading not only to my son but to my students, it's always been quite apparent to me that young children are almost always drawn to stories that have parallels to their own lives.  Stories that make them laugh at the similarities and yet, at the very same time, show them how we all learn from our experiences.

      My Brave Year of Firsts:  Tries, Sighs and High Fives marks the tenth collaboration of the New York Times bestselling duo of actress/author Jamie Lee Curtis and illustrator Laura Cornell. 
        Curtis adeptly and full of exuberance, spotlights so many of those special first moments during our youth that are filled with excitement, joy and yes, sometimes, are a bit intimidating. Our tale's lively heroine, Frankie learns to ride a bike, tie her shoes by herself, borrows her first book from the library, and, most importantly, sees that by conquering each of these momentous firsts, she is growing up into a brave young girl. My Brave Year of First:  Tries, Sighs and High Fives is a tale that is modern, fresh and the illustrations by Curtis' long-time collaborator, Laura Cornell sweetly and whimsically highlight and compliment Curtis' entertainingly enjoyable prose.

My Brave Year of Firsts:  Tries, Sighs and High Fives
Written by Jamie Lee Curtis & Illustrated by Laura Cornell
Publisher:  Joanna Cotler Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Website:  www.harpercollins.com
ISBN: 9780061441554
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 3.2
Retails: $16.99 (Hardcover)
For ages 4 thru 8