Top Baby Blog ~ Living Life in the "Baby Lane"!

Top Baby Shower Favors!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:23:00 +0000

It seems like there are lots of baby showers being planned right now. Hmmm... what was happening 8 months ago? {grin} These baby shower favors are by far the cutest on the web. SO many clever themes.

Right now, all favors are 5% OFF!

There are baby shower, wedding, birthday and other favor themes available!

See the Top Shower Favors...>

Personalized Christmas Gifts for Little Ones (and EVERYONE!)

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:07:00 +0000

Mention TOPBABYBLOG and receive FREE SHIPPING (offer good through 12/31/09)

Start Shopping...>

Have a secret that is burning you up?

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Mon, 04 May 2009 15:15:00 +0000

I just saw this on Good Morning America... The ExperienceProject.com.

A place for big and small confessions of all sorts, where Mom's can get things off their chests and/or help support others who are struggling.

Do you have something you would like to cyber-confess? Some topics are fun... "What celebrity to you refuse to watch?", "Who were you in high school?" and "What were your family mantras growing up and do you have them now?".

Everyone needs an outlet once in a while, especially MOMS!

Check it out...>

Cafe Fashionista

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 02:30:00 +0000

Looking for a fun and unique look at some fun and unique products?

Erika from Cafe' Fashionista brings us reviews on stuff from business cards to two-toned shoes, to platinum nail polish to Yogurt Passion (and that's just the most recent blog post!). She does all the leg work... and we get to enjoy the treasures she finds!

Check out Cafe' Fashionista...>

Follow Us on Twitter

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 01:13:00 +0000

We made the jump

(with a growing number of folks)

to Twitter!

It's a fun, quickly updating way to stay connected with friends, celebrities and even favorite businesses (grin)! We will use it to compliment our blog and will use it when we have something news-worthy to share and want to let you know ASAP! (Like if we get wild hair to have a sale!)

We hope you'll hop over and set up your Twitter account if you don't already have one... and FOLLOW US! We'll follow you too!

Baby Gift Gallery at TakeAStroll.com

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:23:00 +0000

Check out this SlideShare Presentation of some of the special gifts featured at TakeAStroll.com:

Baby Gift Gallery at TakeAStroll.com

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: baby announcement)

Shop by Price!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 05:04:00 +0000

We've made shopping a little bit easier by grouping our darling baby items by price!

Click on the different price ranges to see what's featured!

Cheap, Healthy Foods - Watch Your Weight and Your Budget

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:53:00 +0000

A major issue for those who are trying to create a healthy lifestyle is the cost of healthy food. There are many products on the shelves of your local grocery store that are healthy, but most of them have a larger price tag than the unhealthy, high-fat foods. There are options. If you shop wisely, you can eat healthier than you ever have before and decrease your grocery bill at the same time. Nutritious eating doesn't need to be expensive.

Less Junk = More Savings: In choosing healthy foods, keep in mind that you will automatically be spending less than before due to the absence of junk foods that you may normally purchase such as soft drinks, sugary snacks, and high fat meats.

Less Waste = Less Waist: Healthy eating is not just eliminating certain foods from your diet; it is replacing them with healthy foods. And, if weight control is your goal, you will also be reducing your portion sizes, which will mean less money spent on each meal.

Less Meat, More Veggies: Reducing the amount of meat you eat and replacing it with vegetables is a great way to save money. Fresh vegetables are not nearly as expensive as meat or poultry and your body will thank you for it. Salad is another cheap, healthy food. The pre-packaged salads will cost a bit more than if you purchase the lettuce and other vegetables separately and prepare the salad yourself.

Frugal Fruit: Fruit can be a somewhat expensive, but if you purchase canned fruits in low-sugar syrup or water, you will pay relatively little in comparison to fresh fruit. Apples and oranges are inexpensive compared to some other fruits and you can often find sales that will further reduce your expenses.

Beans and Rice are Nice: Legumes and rice are very inexpensive and you can use either or both of these to replace meat several times per week.

Save on Meat: Canned fish costs considerably less than fresh fish and still contains most of the nutrients. Canned tuna and salmon are very cheap and are very low in fat and calories if you choose the varieties packed in water rather than oil. Chicken is less expensive if you purchase a whole chicken and remove the skin yourself before cooking.

Healthy food does not have to be expensive. You can purchase cheap healthy foods and not only eliminate unhealthy fat and calories, but you can actually save money if you shop wisely.

Article by:
Would you rather spend time doing the things you love rather than being stuck in the kitchen? http://www.freequickrecipes.com/ has quick recipes for mothers... and others. And, if you are looking for a fun way to trim your thighs, don't miss http://www.funexercisevideos.com/ .

Writing Your Personal Mission Statement

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 09:59:00 +0000

Companies use mission statements to let people know why they are in existence. Their mission statement could include information about who they are, what they do, and how they do it. Although corporate mission statements vary greatly, each serves as a guide for the company, its employees, and the general public. But how many of us have personal mission statements? Informal research suggests that few people use detailed written mission statements in their own lives. Sure, most people have some idea where they are going and what they hope to accomplish in life but few have actually written a formal mission statement.

What are the benefits of having a written personal mission statement? First, it’s easier to define the actions and goals that will help you achieve your vision. It serves as a roadmap to get you where you want to go. A mission statement allows you to measure your current reality and your progress toward your ideal life. It also allows you to evaluate your values and incorporate them into your daily life.

A mission statement is simply a statement of what guides you, what inspires you, or what you want to accomplish in your life. There are many different ways to approach writing a personal mission statement, but an effective statement can be written in four simple steps. First, list one to three values or principles that you live by and why these are important to you. If you have more than three values on your list, order them by importance to you and select the top three. Next, list the things that bring you happiness, inspire, and satisfy you. This would include the things you do best and most enjoy doing. Then list the things you’ve always wanted to do or the legacy that you would like to leave. These three lists will be combined and used to write your personal mission statement.

An effective mission statement will be simple, clear and brief (between 2-5 sentences). There are many different ways to combine these three lists into a personal mission statement. The first method is to use your own words and combine each of your three lists into a meaningful statement. The second method is to use a template and fill in the blanks with your answers from the above exercises. There are many templates available online that can guide you to crafting a mission statement. Here are a few of my favorite templates:

I value [1-3 values] because [why these are important to you]. I will [what you will do to live by these values].

To live each day with [1-3 values or principles], so that [what living these values will give you]. I will do this by [specific behaviors].

To treasure above all else [most important things to you] by [what you can do to live priorities].

As you write your personal mission statement, remember to keep it simple, clear and brief. Be sure to state everything in the present tense and keep it positive. If there are any negative statements, restate or redirect them to positive statements. Make your personal mission statement part of your everyday life – keep it handy and review it frequently as you schedule your daily or weekly activities. You will find that your mission statement may continue to change and evolve as you do. Revisit it often and make any necessary changes. And finally, keep in mind that you will get what you focus on. The more effort and focus you give to living your mission statement, the more results you will see in your life.

Article by:
April Mims is a life and career coach specializing in work/life balance issues and life and career transitions. Her coaching practice is Nexus Coaching Partners. She is passionate about empowering clients to balance the demands of a successful career and a strong family life. April invites you to a complimentary 30-minute coaching session to see if coaching could benefit you. To learn more or subscribe to The Nexus Connection newsletter, visit www.nexuscoachingpartners.com.

Cyber Monday & Tuesday FREE SHIPPING!!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:54:00 +0000

No Code Needed!

All order received Monday & Tuesday, 12/1 & 12/2 will have ZERO SHIPPING CHARGES!!!

Lots of darling holiday goodies!

Special Gifts for your Little Ones!

Receive many personalized items before Christmas!

Shop Now...>

Fun Halloween Treats

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:06:00 +0000

We're excited to bring you some of the most unique Halloween-themed goodies for your little ones! From costumes, to personalized trick-or-treat bags, to keepsake frames... Well.. we'll let the pictures speak for themselves!

Click to see all the FUN TREATS...>

Months That End in "ber"

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:57:00 +0000

Can you believe we've officially seen the end of summer? The weather may still be warm (or downright hot, like here in Northern CA) but now that we have entered a month that ends in "ber" it will be a BLUR right through the holidays! That's my theory anyway. The first of witch... oops, I mean, which, is Halloween. At TopBabyPages.com We've rolled out some of the old favorites at the site celebrating this tricky and treaty time of year such as the free coloring pages, fun Halloween crafts and recipes and costume-covered little ones. We've also added some new articles to help you out with preparing for the big day and choosing the all-important costume.

And check out the darling items featured to the right... my favorite are the keepsake frames! Imagine your "fairy princess" or "ghost's" photograph in one! SO cute! The personalized trick or treat totes and sweatshirts are really neat too. You can select hair color, and from 12 costumed drawings to make it oh, so personal!

Come on over and listen to The Monster Mash...>

Darling New Personalized Canvas Prints!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:46:00 +0000

Just had to share these darling new growth charts I just added. They're made of a sturdy canvas and have THE cutest designs. The child's name and length @ birth are added. They are SO cute!

Check out the Growth Charts...>

*************************************

By the same talented artist, I also added these prints... personalized with "Bob's Fishing Hole" and "Jane's Garden". They're available framed or unframed! SO unique!

Check out the personalized Garden canvas print...>

Check out the personalized Fishing Hole canvas print...>

Contest Winners Announced

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:35:00 +0000

The winning babies in our last photo contest have (finally) been announced! Pop over and see if your favorites won... and while you're there, be sure to vote for your favorite Mom & Baby contestants!

Click to see & vote...>

Girlfriends & Good Times: Top 5 Getaway Tips For Road Trips

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:30:00 +0000

You coming? Well slide over, Thelma and jump in the backseat, Louise! We're gassing up and escaping. When are we leaving? Right now! What's the plan? Who needs one! What will we do? Anything we want! Check out this section to get a quick rundown on all you need to know to start your roadtrip girlfriend getaway and tips to make your girlfriend getaway even more fun!

Read on...>

Time to Vote for Top Mommy & Baby

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Mon, 19 May 2008 00:46:00 +0000

Vote for May/June's Top Mommy & Me Photo Contest...>

Now Accepting Entries...

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:04:00 +0000

We are honoring MOM & Mother's Day by sharing your photos of Mommy & Baby in the next Free Photo Contest @ Top Baby Photos.com!

All photos entered must be of Mommy & Baby!

ENTER NOW...>

Shabby Chic (& more) Diaper Cakes!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:37:00 +0000

We're excited to have updated our ever-popular line of Baby Shower Diaper Cakes!

You will be the star of the shower when you walk in with one of these creative works of art!

Makes a wonderful gift for new births too... they arrive securely wrapped in cellophane and tied with a big bow!

CLICK HERE
to see the entire darling line...>

Mommy & Me

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:32:00 +0000

The voting has ended in the February/March Photo Contest.

Winners will be announced soon.

Thanks everyone!

The new Contest will run April 15th-May 31st.

We are honoring MOM & Mother's Day

by requesting photos of

Mommy & Baby

so start snapping those pics

of you and your little darling!

Happy Keester! :o)

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 04:04:00 +0000

To help you celebrate Easter we've gathered some fun activities for you!

> *FREE* Easter Coloring Pages
> Easter Craft Projects for Little Ones
> Easter Recipes and Treats
> *Free* Easter e-Cards
> Easter Shopping and more!

Get your Keester Over There...>

Ready, Set, VOTE!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:13:00 +0000

The babies entered in the new Photo Contest at Top Baby Photos.com are all online and waiting for your vote!

Click here to vote for TOP EYES!

Click here to vote for TOP PERSONALITY!

Click here to vote for TOP SMILE!

Grab your beverage of choice and get comfy... there are LOTS of really darling babies! You'll leave with a smile on your face! :-)

Sign up your Baby! (You know they're the cutest, right?!)

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 22:00:00 +0000

We're a little late getting back in the saddle... but we're making up for it with a cool new contest!
**********

Voting will run from Feb 15th through Mar 31st. We want a nice full showing of babies this time around ok??

Prizes for the winners include:

* A $25 Gift Certificate - Shop for LOTS of darling things at TakeAStroll.com!

* A darling PERSONALIZED Baseball Cap!

SIGN UP YOUR LITTLE ONE...>

Holiday Photo Contest Winners!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 21:52:00 +0000

We're please to announce the winners of the Nov/Dec Holiday Photo Contest!

We didn't have our normal showing of babies entered but these are still darling.

See all the winners...>

New Years Savings!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 02:14:00 +0000

No special code needed...
orders over $50
will receive
FREE SHIPPING!!

For a limited time only!

GET SHOPPING...>

New Year's Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (Beth :-)) — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 02:00:00 +0000

It's that time of year again. December is here, and it's time to make your New Year's Resolutions. How did you do with last year's resolutions? "My what," you ask? You remember New Year's Eve. You, dressed in your finest, holding up that glass of champagne. "THIS is the year I will..." Maybe you vowed to quit smoking. Did you swear off cookies? Perhaps you promised to exercise every day. Spend less? Save more? Whatever your New Year's Resolutions, I'll bet they were big.

Looking back on it, I guess my resolutions were a little unrealistic.

I imagined myself rising each day at 6:00 am to a cup of home-ground coffee. I would go out onto the patio and savor my coffee while consulting my day-planner. I would stroll into the kitchen and make my daughter a healthy, nutritious lunch to take to school. I would prepare her homemade pancakes with warm, maple syrup. I would then cheerfully wake up my two happy children with a song.

After dressing my children in their matching outfits, I would take my older daughter to school slightly early so she could visit with her friends. Upon my return home, I would exercise while playing with my baby. I would clean house while she napped; dress in cute L.L. Bean clothes. I would prepare gourmet meals with fresh ingredients I picked up at the Farmer's Market. Fine wine would perfectly complement my meals, and I would have a pretty nightgown to wear to my freshly laundered bed each night.

Was I dreaming or what?

Yesterday I woke up at 7:45 to the sounds of my 8 year old screaming, "Mommy! The alarm didn't go off!" Her screaming woke up the baby, who in turn, began to cry. I leapt from bed and dashed to their room with one slipper on.

In my rush to get everyone fed and dressed I skipped the home-ground coffee. I gulped some re-heated coffee leftover from the night before. I couldn't find my day-planner, so I wasn't sure if we had any appointments or not. Oh well...

Instead of homemade pancakes, my daughter feasted on Oreo cereal. Well, the box says it has vitamins and minerals, right?? Not only did my children's clothes not match each other, they didn't match themselves. Madison was wearing blue, flowered leggings and an orange striped shirt. I didn't care--she was dressed. She had brushed her own hair, and it resembled Phyllis Diller's hair. I didn't care--it was brushed. I was afraid to check her breath.

The baby didn't look much better. I hadn't had a chance to put away the clean laundry so she was wearing a polka-dotted shirt with red and green striped pants. Together, my children looked like rodeo clowns. I didn't care--they were dressed. We were good to go.

"What's in my lunch box?" asks rodeo clown number one. LUNCH! I knew I was forgetting something. "You are so lucky," I say convincingly, "because today we are driving through Jack-in-The-Box for your lunch. Your classmates will be so jealous!." The look she gave me told me she didn't buy it for a second.

After dropping her off armed with her Kids Meal, I raced back home. My exercise for the day was hauling the car seat up the stairs as fast as I could because the baby had spit up on the clown outfit. Instead of L.L. Bean, I was now wearing pukey K-Mart sweats.

I did attempt to clean my house while the baby napped. Unfortunately, I barely cleaned the dishes from last night's lasagna before she woke up. Will I ever get caught up?

Looking at my watch, I noticed that it was almost noon, and the only thing I'd had all day was the stale coffee. Time for lunch. My "healthy, nutritious lunch" consisted of canned Spaghetti O's and Diet Dr. Pepper, since I hadn't had time to stop by the Farmer's Market.

Thinking ahead to dinner I wondered, "What wine goes with Hamburger Helper"?

It was then time to go get Madison from school. The scowl on her face as she got into the back seat of the car told me that the Kids Meal didn't exactly go over too well. "I'm STARVING, mommy. The french fries were soggy, and all I got was a stupid Rugrats toy."

Racing back home, I tried to think of a healthy snack based on the ingredients in the cupboard. "OK, we have some canned peaches, some powdered instant breakfast drink mix, and some graham crackers. What can I make with that?"

"Don't worry, sweetheart. Mommy will make you a peach smoothie and some graham crackers when we get home." She shoots, SHE SCORES!!!!

Last night I laid down on my cookie-crumb filled sheets in my holey Laker shirt, and I thought about my New Year's Resolutions. Why do I do this to myself every year? Why do I set myself up for failure?

I guess it's because I like the idea of starting fresh. I think it's a good idea to re-evaluate one's life to change the things that aren't working. At this point it seems that what is not working are my New Year's Resolutions. Maybe if I scale back my expectations it might just work this time.

I could try to get to the regular grocery store once a week. They sell fruit and vegetables there, right? I might even be able to make Madison's lunch the night before--even if it is only a sandwich. Folger's coffee is OK. I might even convince myself that climbing up and down the stairs to my apartment is indeed exercise.

So, this year I'm going to make some new resolutions. I'm going to lower my standards and try again. THIS time it will work. Now where did I put that day-planner?

** Traci Vujicich (pronounced Voo-i-chich) is the author of Motherhood, Apple Pie and Other Fattening Things: http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?isbn=0-595-20723-5 She is also a Life Coach, and a wife and mother. She lives in Redondo Beach, California with her husband Dan, daughters Madison and Lea, and her cats Maggie and Sofia. Traci produces a weekly internet magazine, writes content for several websites, and is the webmaster of Ask the Life Coach.com and Lead the Field Coaching.com. Since 1993, Traci has been providing management consulting services to clients such as Johnson & Johnson, Sun Microsystems, Texaco, Nortel, Kodak, Bell South, Weyerhauser, Lockheed Martin, Union Pacific and Exxon. In addition, she conducts internet seminars on a variety of subjects.