With the success of their baby massage DVD, Aimee’s Babies, a child development company, has released their newest DVD, “First Year Milestones." Aimee’s Babies is was founded by a pediatric occupational therapist, who is also a mom. Aimee wants all parents to be as informed as they can be through all of the steps their baby goes through while developing in their first year. As the title suggests, she give milestones to look out for from visual development to first steps. There are also tips for swaddling, and early walkers. Parents can see real babies in action, and feel like other families are out there growing right along with them. You can watch a clip from the DVD here. 

Of course no two babies are alike, and everyone develops differently, but this video guide offers one view on baby development. If you'd like to enter to win this DVD, please leave a comment below with your email address. One winner will be randomly chosen and announced at 5:00 pm PDT on Friday, April 5. 

As we get to the end of the year, and resolution making season, it's a time when many moms will start to reflect on the year behind them, and make wishes for the year ahead. Of course parenting is at the forefront of our minds at all times. We think about what things we hope never change in our kids, and a couple of things that we hope may. In the world of parent education, there is no shortage of professionals, and even fellow parents, ready to give their advice, in the form of books, websites and chat rooms. But as Rachel Sklar of Via Parenting puts it, "There is no one-size-fits-all way of parenting." With her new Mindful Parenting CD she offers visualization exercises to help achieve parenting goals on a daily basis, along with tips on reflecting on what you do have, and love, within your kids already. She promises "cool as a cucumber" status when dealing with tantrums and other challenges that kids bring. She also offers ten free downloadable mantras for you to print and hang up somewhere you can see them daily. Two of these mantras are: 1. I am flexible, firm and kind my children, and myself. 2. I am focusing on the positive. She suggests picking one per day to focus on, and even letting your kids which one you have chosen. 

ASK RACHEL SKLAR A QUESTION!
The first three people to comment on this post with a parenting question will get a brief but helpful answer free from Rachel Sklar. If you are thinking it, chances are other parents are too, so let's hear from you!

I scream. You scream. We know they all scream for ice cream. But how do you get them to cheer for what your business is offering? Just follow my Press Release Sundae recipe featured on Best Mom Products, the website for moms in business. Find out how to create a sweet a press release that will have them coming back for seconds! Learn about formatting, and each simple yet essential ingredient, that makes it all come together.  ~ What press strategies have you used, or responded to? ~

I have been waiting for an opportunity to write some about Nora Ephron and "When Harry Met Sally..." because of my slight lifelong obsession with the movie. That time has come in the form of a My Thirty Spot Love for 30 Blog Post! You can read the post here. I have included my thoughts on the movie as it relates to turning 30, as well as some quotes and even a WHMS final exam! ~ What movies do you like to look at every couple of years, just to check in? ~

Product retailers for babies and kids are literally sprouting up all over! It’s no wonder that the sprout is such an inspiration to baby and child centered companies. Maybe it was the Green Giant’s friend Sprout that has stuck in our minds, or because we really want little ones to sprout up in a healthy way. There are many companies turning to this ideal “green” image in their names and mentality, as they help parents who are expecting and raising kids.

Shop
Sprout exists to provide new and experienced parents confidence in everything they choose for their kids and home. With onesies by Dwell Studio, toys by Manny+Simon and home decor by Stokke, their stock of products are all non-toxic and stylish. If they wouldn’t use they don’t want you to either. This is where safety, design and practicality for families all come together. With boutiques in San Francisco, Chicago and New York, as well as an online shop, baby greens are never out of reach.

Care
From big items like blankets and sheets, to smaller, but no less important dishes, rattles and teethers, Green Sprout Toys helps parents give their babies a fresh clean start in the world. All of their products are BPA and PVC free. They understand we live in a modern world, and offer some disposable items, but some, such as their wipes, are plant based and compressed to conserve space.

Feed
Who better than a gourmet chef and Food Network personality to feed your child? Besides you right? And what did we ever do before the baby food pouch? OK, enough questions, the answer is Tyler Florence’s Sprout line of baby and toddler food. Part of the appeal is the images of the actual ingredients shown on the outside of the food pouches. The other is that the dishes are things we would actually eat, but in a consistency made for newer eaters. Because the sooner you introduce Sweet Potato & Apple Risotto or Vegetable & White Bean Stew, the more open your kids will be to new foods. Just waiting on a sprouts meal  by Sprout!

Wear
Soft and versatile t-shirts are the staple of every kiddie wardrobe, and those made by The Little Seed are no exception. They are available in environmentally influenced colors such as Electric Blue, Sunshine Yellow and Tree Hugging green, along with grays, reds, pinks and purples. The shirts are made in the USA from 100% raw cotton and dyes with low run-off so there is a smaller effect on the environment. These shirts bring a softness and style to the everyday tee and kids’ fashion sense. Because every sprout starts out as a small seed.

Pure
Trying the Scrumptious Baby Cream by Original Sprout really was a family affair. I knew the minute the box arrived what was inside, and I opened it right away. I tried it and soon had a crowd of people, well my two kids, waiting to try it too. While ordering it I read all about the fabulous scent and the product in reality did not disappoint.  It has a beachy, coconutty, fruity scent that we all love. The kids kept asking for more. Between lotion, lip gloss and shower gel, they are already beauty product aficionados!

View
Whether it’s visiting with old favorite characters like Clifford or The Berenstain Bears, or meeting new ones like Caillou and Whyatt, Sprout programming brings a nice option to edutainment. Kids will smile and laugh while watching a show, but they may also pick up a few new letters of the alphabet from a spelling superhero, or learn a lesson from a friendly bear.

Give
Before the baby arrives is when the real preparation happens. In the form of a baby shower. This is where a team of your friends and family get together to honor and wow you all at the same time. My sister just threw one such shower, but credit must be given to the now infamous Jessica for leading her team through the sprout theme. Clean lines, with white and green accents abounded, complete with fresh eats and sweet treats. Jessica’s sprout inspired vision board served her well when relaying her ideas to others. And the literal pièce de résistance was the collection of pea pod and artichoke cookies literally sprouting from metal pots, created by Sweet Kiera. The mom-to-be herself proclaimed them to be “absolutely gorgeous and beyond delicious ‘sprout’ themed cookies.”

Cook
Savory or sweet, we’ve got your Brussels sprouts covered all year long.

Jae Berman Nutrition
The busy mom that I am, through all of the discussions with Registered Dietician Jae Berman, I only ever scanned the Kale & Brussel Sprout Salad recipe that she sent me. In my mind I was to toast almonds, make a dressing and toss it all with sauteed Brussels sprouts and kale. It couldn't have been easier or tastier, and it got the approval of both of my kids. Only after enjoying this dish did I go through and carefully read the directions. I realized it’s called a salad, because it’s actually a raw salad, aside from the toasted nuts. Now it all makes sense! I tried it the salad way and it was so delicious too. I left out the cheese for my family, but that is what is so great about this versatile recipe. Cooked or raw, seasoned a lot, or not, it just works for all palates! 

Twin Chefs
If you want a Brussels sprouts recipe that kids will like, then it makes sense to ask a kid, or two, for a recipe. Nine-year-old Twin Chefs Lilly and Audrey shared their Candied Brussels Chiffonade with me. When I skimmed that recipe, they had me at brown sugar in the ingredients list. It’s like dessert meets side dish in a caramelized complement to any meal. If Pinkalicious only knew about this recipe, she would not have wasted another minute being pink! This candied dish definitely got the kid seal of approval at dinner at our house. I, however, am wondering what it would taste like a la mode! Basil sorbet anyone?

Make
The one way to truly enjoy sprouts is to plant your own, since all plants, fruits and veggies start out as a sprout. We like to start with a few apple seeds from snack time, and place them between two pieces or damp paper towels. Then place that flat in a zip top plastic bag. Close the bag, and tape it to a window that gets a good amount of sunlight. Check the seeds daily until they start to sprout! Once you have some sturdy roots and leaves, replant them in a pot of soil.

~What sprout recipes and green products do you and your own little sprouts enjoy?~