Few things calm a baby like being worn, and if you’d like to babywear in chic, eco-conscious style, check out Belle Baby Carriers. Today, Belle contributes to our online birthday party with their organic moss carrier. Easy to use, ergonomically designed, and environmentally friendly, baby can enjoy snoozing, cruising, and nursing in this sweet ride. Simply check out the rules after the jump and leave a comment on this cool carrier to enter to win.

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Sandra R.!
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Rules:

Include your name and email in the appropriate fields so we can contact you if you win (your name but NOT your email will be published with your comment. Including just first name or first name + last initial is OK.)

One comment permitted per person; US entrants welcome.

Anonymous or SPAM-like comments will be discarded.

Entry period closes tonight at midnight EST, Monday, July 7, 2008.

When the parks get too crowded or steamy during the summer, local museums and indoor play spaces are true lifesavers. And this Thursday (July 10), the Children’s Museum in Easton kicks off their Summer Drop-In Days with Ruff Ruffman from PBS’s FETCH! Drop by between 10:30 am - 3 pm to meet Ruff and enjoy activities and cake in the museum’s new outdoor learning center, The Wild Place.

Want to win one of two 4-packs of CME tickets to enjoy the FETCH! event*? Here’s how:

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winners Anne-Marie C. & Jessica C.!
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Visit the CME Summer Drop-In Schedule, then email contests@bostonmamas.com (with ‘CME’ in the subject), and name another fun upcoming drop-in event.

One entry permitted per person; local entrants welcome to enter.

Entry period closes at midnight EST, Tuesday, July 8, 2008.

*Two winners each will receive a 4-pack of admission passes to the Children’s Museum in Easton, which allows for access to the FETCH! event.

After procuring the lines for Puffer, Beloved and I had to figure out how to rig a 34-year-old boat from scratch.  We didn't even know how to properly tie ANY sailing knots.  Thank God for Basic Keelboat and The Handbook of Sailing, from which we somehow learned how to tie a figure eight and a bowline knot and how to rig a 12-foot sailboat when all the lines were lying on the ground in loose circles.

It only took three hours.

Despite the fact I was wearing 50 sunscreen, I managed to earn myself a painful sunburn.  And a bunch of bug bites.

But the result...

I have not felt a greater sense of victory in a long time.

My friend Nooshi is amazing at identifying a cool party theme then really running with it. A couple of weekends ago she threw a marvelous Messy Party for her son’s third birthday and the party was unbelievably fun and beautifully creative. Here’s a run down of how she made it all happen:
Inspiration

Nooshi credits features from Martha Stewart Kids and Cookie Magazine as providing initial points of inspiration. (Although in my opinion, if you check out those features then read below, Nooshi took the idea to a whole new level!)

Invitations

The party invitations were comprised of finger painted flat cards by Nooshi’s son, covered with vellum with the printed party information over the top. The two layers can be attached using glue dots, ribbon, or metal fasteners.

Setting

Obviously, messy parties are best suited for warm weather birthdays. This party was held at one of the pavilions at Filipello Park in Watertown. A permit from the Town of Watertown Recreation Department is required to reserve the tables & grills (Nooshi suggests reserving well in advance). The site was terrific in that the pavilion we were at was right next to a tot lot (not part of the reservation), and also a short walk from the spray pool and restrooms.

Nooshi rented outdoor speakers that plugged right into an iPod; she reports that this was well worth the cost.

Activities

Painting I: Large sheets were set up on the grass and kids were provided 16 x 20 inch canvas panels, cups of paints, and various bristle and roller brushes. A clothesline was strung to hang paintings to dry, although there was plenty of space to simply put the paintings to the side after the kids were done. Likely due to the freedom of the space, Laurel painted in a way I had never seen before, in Jackson Pollock spatter style. The result was totally cool and we’re going to frame it. One kid painted his canvas then decided to paint himself (pictured).

Painting II: This part was impressively adventurous and some kids really got into it. There was a long, wide roll of paper and big trays full of paint, and kids were encouraged to paint with their feet. [Nooshi notes that Oriental Trading has phenomenal prices on art supplies but you need to order paint well in advance as it cannot be air shipped.]

Sidewalk chalk offered a nice alternative for younger kids or the less adventurous.

A bubble blowing machine was running, which the little ones went berserk over.

A fleet of inexpensive spray water bottles (procured from Target) provided a fun way for the kids to cool off, and also offered another good activity for little ones.

Cornstarch: The kids went bananas with a dozen boxes of cornstarch: throwing it, dumping it, making footprints through it. I couldn't even tell the kids apart by the end of it.

Messy Food

For snacks, there were cute little paper baggies of Pirate Booty and cheese puffs (think dusty and messy snacks).

Dinner included (messy) spaghetti with sauce, grilled chicken, and piles of strawberries and blueberries.

For dessert, Nooshi baked angel food cupcakes (from a box mix – just add water!). They heated hot fudge sauce in a pan of water on the grill and topped the cupcakes with hot fudge and whipped cream, creating the desired effect of chocolate & whipped cream covered faces.

Additional Notes

Super cute touch: Nooshi’s son wore a “Mr. Messy” t-shirt to the party.

The biggest challenge of this party was getting everything transported to the site.

Following inspiration from Danny Seo (via his Epicurious article on green entertaining, plus meeting him at my Method party), Nooshi planned the event so that all the craft material was earth friendly and water-soluble (this ruled out silly string, another messy activity option). They opted for paper cups and plates over plastic so that any stray items would eventually decompose.

Despite how messy the kids got, once the paint dried and the cornstarch was largely brushed off, transport wasn’t really an issue. But we found that the bath towel favor served perfectly to partially cover Laurel’s car seat in case we missed any messiness. I had to laugh though; when I was chatting with another girlfriend about how she was going to get her four (extremely messy) kids home, one of them piped up, “We’re all going to drive home naked!”

Seriously, it is about time. Memorial Day was 8,000 years ago, and my best friend got married over Memorial Day.  It was totally fun, but not the relaxing long weekend I'm hoping for with the 4th of July.  We're staying in town. We have few plans.  Bella is flopped on the carpet on her back, paws akimbo, just thinking about it.  I echo her sentiments.

My house is a mess and in serious need of dusting.  I have a huge deadline at work.  But all I want to do is put on my swimming suit and go sprawl in the sunshine with a nonreview paperback book.

We did go on Tuesday night to a new sailing shop in Merriam, Kansas and were able to procure REAL lines for Puffer the Sailboat.  While we were there, they insisted on showing us the new and used small boats of 14 to 16 feet (ours is 12, and it's as old as I am, which is so totally not old for a person).  I thought I saw a little bit of drool escaping Beloved's mouth as he tenderly patted the hulls in adoration.  I reminded him that though I took sailing lessons and learned on a J/30, that was in 1998.  I want to completely master sailing Puffer, not to mention pay off debt and finish remodeling Chateau Travolta, before we do something ridiculous like buy a sailboat.

Still, there was this t-shirt in the shop that I almost took home. I normally don't like cheesy motivational t-shirts, posters, or anything of the sort, so inundated am I in corporate America with all that crap (translation:  work really hard to make more money for us, and maybe we'll kick you an Applebee's gift card).  But this one said:

Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday

See?

There is no Someday.

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Review of new movie (not out yet) Sixty-Six at Surrender, Dorothy: Reviews.  Also!  Check out the Sleep Is for the Weak page at BlogHer with contributor bios!  And did you see the new event widget in the sidebar?  That's how you'll know who will be where signing books this fall. Come on out and see us.

If your little one loves alien play - or simply enjoys squishing and sculpting - now you can provide the goods to create an alien army! Today, Hasbro contributes to our online birthday party with their Martian Matter Alien Maker. This spaceship play set includes the mix, molds, and tools so kids can create nearly 100 different colorful alien combinations. Simply check out the rules after the jump and leave a comment on this kit (or any other Hasbro item) to enter to win.
Rules:

Include your name and email in the appropriate fields so we can contact you if you win (your name but NOT your email will be published with your comment. Including just first name or first name + last initial is OK.)

One comment permitted per person; US entrants welcome.

Anonymous or SPAM-like comments will be discarded.

Entry period closes tonight at midnight EST, Thursday, July 3, 2008.

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Erica C.!
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Today, Carole Arsenault of Newborn Nurses offers breastfeeding basics for baby’s first two weeks:

“Many women read several breastfeeding books and take at least one breastfeeding class during their pregnancy. However, once baby arrives many women forget some important basic information, especially as it relates to the newborn’s first two weeks of life. Here are breastfeeding basics to keep in mind during the first two weeks.
Day One: The first few hours

Try to nurse the baby as soon after delivery as possible, once mom and baby are stable and the delivery is complete. When a baby is first delivered they are usually wide awake, alert and eager to suck. Go ahead and try to latch baby to your breast yourself or ask your nurse to help. Some babies latch on with little assistance while others require a bit more time. Whether or not your baby actually feeds is not as important as the attempts. Even if your baby has just a few sucks, he will get some colostrum in his tummy. The baby’s stomach at this time is the size of a marble so it doesn’t take much to fill.

Several hours after birth your baby will be very tired and will usually sleep for most of the next 24 hours. You will need to attempt to feed him at least every three hours. During the first 24 hours a few sucks are OK.

Day Two: Baby is 24 hours old

Once baby is 24 hours old he needs to get serious about feeding. A few sucks at the breast will not be enough food to feed the baby. Put the baby to the breast every 1.5 – 2 hours for at least 10-15 minutes (within a week he should be feeding between 15 -20 minutes).

It is recommended that babies feed on one breast at a time for up to 20 minutes to ensure that they get both the foremilk and hindmilk. At that point, if baby is still hungry, put him to the other breast. Most babies this age will only feed for a few minutes on the second breast. If this is the case, begin nursing on the second breast at the next feeding. Getting into a pattern of switching sides will prevent engorgement and encourage supply.

Mature milk supply is not yet established; your baby may be hungry so it is important to feed him frequently. Most babies are still sleepy – so mom will have to continually wake baby during the feeding session. Tickle his toes and fingers, undress him, and take his hat off, rub his back or burp him in an upright position – these actions will usually help to arouse a sleepy baby. Very few babies will be able to feed long enough without being woken several times.

Days Three and Four

Under normal circumstances, mature milk will come in within the next few days. You may notice a change in the color of the milk from yellow to pale white, which is the color of mature milk. Baby's stools will also start to become yellow instead of the dark meconium that you see on day one and two.

When mature milk comes in your breasts will feel heavier and full. When your breasts are producing milk they are about four times heavier than normal. Keeping you baby on the breast frequently will prevent the breasts from becoming too full (engorgement).

When your baby feeds now you may hear swallowing and gulping as baby nurses. Count your baby's wet diapers to make sure that he is getting enough milk. Once the mature milk is in the AAP recommends that your baby has a minimum of 6 wet diapers per day.

Your milk production will match the amount of food that your baby needs. Avoid giving supplements of formula (if you can) during this time. If for some reason your baby needs supplements, though, do not panic or worry. Sometimes this is necessary during the early days before the milk supply is fully established.

Day 5

By now, baby should be latching on to the breast well and feeding every 1.5 – 3 hours. If not, get help right away from your health care provider or lactation consultant.

Days 6 – 9

Your daily routine of feeding the baby should now be established. You should be feeling more comfortable with latching and positioning of your baby. Tender nipples and the minor discomforts from the first few days are starting to disappear. If you are experiencing pain during the breastfeeding session and your nipples are so sore that you are dreading the feeds call your health care provider for support. Lactation consultants can usually provide the assistance you need to fix the situation – most of the time it is the baby’s improper latching technique.

Continue with frequent feeds and diaper counts. Because many babies can lose close to 10% of their body weight during the first two to three days you are trying to help him regain this weight by the two week mark.

Days 10 – 14

Your breasts will suddenly feel softer now and not quite as full. Do not worry – this is normal. Unless it is time for a feeding your breasts will not be full and swollen like they were a week ago. Your baby is much more awake now and not sleeping as much. Feeds are becoming easier and baby is staying at the breast longer.

Breastfeeding is an experience you will always remember. The first few weeks can be very difficult but try to stay calm and relaxed, and be sure to seek support if you need help."

The little angel wants so badly to be able to spell.

She can't spell.

Her: "Mommy!  What does S-E-S-E spell?"

Me: "Nothing."

Her: "MOMMY!!!!  What does N-J-F-P spell?"

Me: "Nothing, honey.  You know how to spell my name.  Why don't you spell my name?"

Her:  "MOOOOOOMMMMYY!  What does F-E-P-Q spell?"

Me:  "Mommy is driving.  My head is sort of starting to hurt.  I think you're spelling in another language."

Her: "Mommy!  You're not a very good speller."

When it comes to cloth diaper services, there’s a real supply and demand problem in the Boston area. But now there’s good news for parents who live south of the city. Sweet Pea Diaper Service is live as of this month and will swap out your soiled diapers for fresh ones for $21 - 26 per week depending on your diaper plan. Serving families in Norfolk and Bristol counties (plus parts of Rhode Island), we’re thrilled to welcome this new business as it meets both local and global needs.

Want to win a Sweet Pea Diaper Service starter plan*? Here’s how:

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UPDATE (5/22/09): Sadly, Sweet Pea Diaper Service has gone out of business.

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Visit the Sweet Pea Diaper Service site, then email contests@bostonmamas.com (with ‘Sweet Pea’ in the subject), and name one of Sweet Pea's listed benefits of cloth diapers.

One entry permitted per person; local entrants welcome to enter. **Whether you are entering to win for yourself, or for a friend/family member, the registrant of the service must reside in Norfolk or Bristol county.

Entry period closes at midnight EST, Friday, July 4, 2008.

*Winner will receive one month of service (70 diapers per week) + the start-up fee waived ($119 value)!

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Jennifer R.!
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