New Standard for Maternity

http://www.babyshopmagazine.com/fall05/maternity.htm

Expecting Moms Set a New Standard for Maternity Wear

By Jon K. Murata

Today’s Mom-to-be wants clothing that has contemporary, modern flair, and is comfortable. For years expecting moms have been influenced by many things. These days she is even more bombarded by television and the media, and is influenced by a changing society and her own personal goals and lifestyle.
Celebrity moms lead the way

In 1952, television history was made when Lucille Ball became the first celebrity mom in America to be filmed and televised throughout her pregnancy. Lucille Ball set the tone for maternity fashions for two decades after that infamous airing. Ball brought glamour and sophistication, as well as her unique sense of style, to all the expectant moms across America.

Now, there is a whole new set of celebrity moms leading the way. In recent years, moms like Madonna, Julia Roberts, and Courtney Cox were in the forefront of fashion and motherhood. Today, expecting mother Britney Spears sets the tone of chic maternity fashions to expectant mothers. Britney Spears, being one of the most photographed moms-to-be, continues to wear the same types of fashion she wore during her rising pop star years. She loves embellished tank tops, low rise hip hugger jeans, sexy camisoles,and funky cropped tees. If you thought she was showing off her midriff before, she is even more proud of her midsection now.

The New Demographics
Today’s mom-to-be is older, and she is having fewer children. She is educated and has dedicated much of her time to her career and moving up the corporate ladder. She is finding a lot of success; though this success often delays starting a family. In many ways she is like the television character in the early 1990’s, Murphy Brown, but also in many ways she is not. Today’s expectant mother is able to juggle career, marriage, and family.

Today she is a professional, married to both her job and to her husband. She is a dedicated, hard-working, full-time career woman. She is strong and independent but wants to preserve her femininity, too.

A Focus on Fashion and Comfort
Today’s expecting moms have a different view point on their pregnancy. With smaller families and dual family incomes, many moms are spending more on their maternity wardrobes.

Our modern expecting mother will not sacrifice her sense of fashion, but will select fashion that will emphasize her trim, toned, pregnant body. She wants to wear the same fashions she did before she became pregnant. She wants to stay within the latest trends, from embroidered ethnic tunics, sexy strappy cami tops, to her low rise jeans that she loves. However, she needs a pair that can accommodate her growing midsection without sacrificing the look, and have it fit comfortably below the waist.

All these fashions are cut to accentuate her state of being. She likes the sleeves and shoulders to be cut closer to the body. Today her growing midsection is something to show off proudly — not something to cover up with embarrassment. Yesterday’s maternity clothes that made one look like more like “mama” than a “hot chic” are on their way out. These days no one wants to look like they are wearing the old huge A-line teepee-like tee shirts.

With the use of bias cuts and stretch fabrics, the expectant mother can wear the same items from sixth months to nine months and beyond. They give and stretch in all the right places to accommodate the changing body. Yet they still remain fashionable and, most importantly, comfortable.

The modern expectant mother demands a wardrobe with selections to take her where she needs to go: from the office to special occasions like weddings, or off to the gym, spa and resort.

The expectant women of today are health conscious. As social norms have changed, her expanding belly is something to show off, not cover up. She balances her stress-filled life by being more physically active. She works out at the gym, takes yoga classes, and runs on the treadmill. She has also found sanctuary in a favorite day spa, through meditation and stretching.

All these activities require new exercising clothes. With an emphasis on yoga and stretching, in preparation for her delivery, she needs workout wear that really stretches in all the right places and gives her the coverage and support where she needs. Active bottoms with additional spandex to give the freedom and support she needs to go through her routines with ease, comfort, and versatility. The Roll Up (above belly) and Roll Down (below the belly) yoga pants have become a must-have in her active wardrobe. Along with yoga tanks tops specifically designed with shelf bras and wider shoulder straps for added support, an extra dose of spandex helps keep all the girls in their proper place.

The beauty in these new fashions for the expectant mother is that, since they are not your typical old fashioned maternity frocks, they can be worn after the baby’s birth. Don’t forget, it takes time for one’s body to completely recover from pregnancy. It takes time to regain one’s figure, especially while attending to the newborn. These new fashions for maternity provide not only flexibility but also longevity: they can still be worn after the baby arrives and no one will know it is maternity clothing.

”Change your clothes, not your style”™.

Jon K. Murata, Vice President Design and Merchandizing of Belly Basics.

ANGELINA PREGNANT AGAIN? HER BUMP IS BACK!
It was a hot day in Pune, India, when Angelina Jolie, 31, arrived at the local airport on Oct. 28 to meet Brad Pitt, 42. The two, minus their three children — were headed for a romantic three-day getaway to the super-private Taj Lake Palace hotel; the famous hotel in the lake, where parts of 1983's Octopussy was filmed. Yet Angie, who has run herself ragged over the last year raising three kids under age 5, suspiciously clutched a shawl around her loose-fitting dress, concealing what an on-looker tells Star looked like a baby bump!

"When she got out of the car, she walked straight to the building, and she was messing around with the scarf, trying to cover herself with it," the witness says. In fact, Star has learned that the actress, who wore similar baggy dresses and cover-ups early in her pregnancy with 5-month-old daughter Shiloh last winter, has been struggling over the last few weeks of shooting A Mighty Heart in Pune. "I heard she's not able to hold down food very well," a source tells Star. That's not all: The source adds that Angelina is back on prenatal vitamins and she's off birth control!

Read all about it in this week's issue of Star — on newsstands now!

http://www.starmagazine.com/celebrity_news_gossip/entertainm

Jan. 2.FLAVOR FLAV EXPECTING 7TH CHILD

VH1 star Flavor Flav announced he is expecting his seventh child on the Tom Joyner Morning Show. The rapper also said he wants 10 kids on the program. Surpringly, the baby's mother is not London Charles (aka Deelishis) the woman who stole Flav's heart on the second season of Flavor of Love. Flav's manager says Charles is aware of the situation though. The baby is due Jan. 2.

Emergency Repair Saviours

Emergency Repair Saviours

Mama Mio Emergency Repair is facial quality skincare for the body. All women - either immediately after giving birth, or 10 years on - feel that their tummy area has suffered through pregnancy. Our new ER products are a specialised Post Pregnancy Therapy range to help tone up slack crepey skin and fade imperfections such as stretch marks. Our ER products are paraben free and petrolatum free. They can be used at any time - even if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
http://www.mamamio.com

Cute TeeShirts

urbanbaby.com

Tees and Thank You

Good manners never go out of style, they just seem to run in short supply when your kid hits those terrible-twos. Or threes. Or fours.

Wear Your Manners, an ingenious new line of tee shirts, says it all. High quality 100 percent cotton shirts emblazoned with timeless phrases – Play Nice, Share, Be Gentle, Don't Hit, Don't Gossip. Women's styles are also available and include It's Not Polite to Stare, Think Before You Speak, Look But Don't Touch (also available in maternity sizes), Say Please, Play Nice, and a larger version of Don't Gossip.

Colors are classic – black and white, pink, baby blue, navy and red. Choose onesies or lap sleeves for the little ones, short sleeves or cap sleeves for bigger kids, and cap sleeves or V-necks for yourself.

It will probably take a little more than a tee shirt to teach your kids to mind their p's and q's – but hey, the shirt can't hurt.

And the sooner you start, the greater your chances of creating that rarest of creatures: a polite teen.

Available online at wearyourmanners.com.
http://ct.urbanbaby.com/clicks?t=17078637-0a7459bfd341cb84d047325c57426751-bf&s=30&fs=0

Hair Cuts

http://beauty.about.com/od/hairbasics/a/flattering.htm
http://about.com/

No matter your face shape, there will be cuts that look best on you. (Except for this style which looks great on almost everyone). Here's a quick guide of what to look for and what to avoid for 5 different face shapes. Pick yours to determine what's the most flattering haircut for your face shape.

* Oval This is the most versatile face. You can pull off almost any look -- short, long, straight or wavy. No matter the length of your cut, you'll look best with layers near your cheekbones, lips or chin -- basically whatever feature you want to highlight.
Styles that are super hot now: Choppy bobs, long waves and shoulder-skimming shags.
Celebs who share your face shape: Think Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba, Jada Pinkett Smith
Avoid: Short layers that add height on top of your head.



This will make your face appear long. If your hair is thick or curly, avoid a blunt cut. You'll look like a pyramid. For more information, check out this photo gallery of best hairstyles for oval face shapes.
Tools you can't live without: A great curling iron and flat iron to create waves and straighten your sleek locks.

* Long or 'oblong' For straight hair, you can create more width with bangs. Long, side-swept bangs are very modern. Chin-length bobs and cuts are also ideal for you because they create the illusion of width. Curls and waves also add width, but avoid short layers that add volume on top. See, for example, Halle Berry's hair cut on the right. The intense volume on top adds length to her already long face. For more information, check out this photo gallery of best hairstyles for long face shapes.
Super hot styles now: Long layers.
Celebs who share your face shape: Sarah Jessica Parker, Ashlee Simpson, Giselle Bundchen
Avoid: Stay away from extremely long or short cuts. These elongate your face. If you must have long hair past your shoulders, make sure to cut in a few long layers, especially around the face. You might also consider a v-shaped style, where the length is mainly in the back, while the sides and front of your hair seem shorter.
Styling tools you can't live without: A great volumizer. My favorite is Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray, I also love the hairspray Big Sexy Hair Flip it Over Full and Wild.

* Round Your best bet are styles that fall right below your chin or add a little volume on top. Soft, graduated layers are also a great bet because they make your face appear slimmer and tend to remove bulk and weight from the sides. Bangs are flattering, but keep them long or sideswept. Go for wispy and tapered ends. These de-emphasize the roundness of your face. For more information, check out this photo gallery of best hairstyles for round face shapes.
Celebs who share your face shape: Fergie, Kate Bosworth, Oprah Winfrey, Cameron Diaz, Kirsten Dunst, Michelle Williams, Catherine Zeta-Jones
Avoid: One-length, blunt cuts if you have short hair. These only emphasize your round face.
Tools you need: A great Boar's Hair brush to keep hair tame.

* Square If you have a square face, you'll want to play down your strong, angular jaw. Texture, in the form of curls or choppy ends, do this brilliantly. You can also get away with short, spiky cuts and long, sleek styles with layers that start at the jawline and continue downward.
Celebs who share your face shape: Gwyneth Paltrow, Demi Moore, Mandy Moore and Rosario Dawson
Avoid: One-length bobs (especially chin-length) and blunt-cut bangs. These will make your face look even more square.

* Heart Your pointy chin tends to be the focal point of your face. Draw attention to your eyes and cheekbones instead with sideswept bangs (these act almost like arrows to your eyes or cheeks), brow-grazing fringe, a strong part and hair that falls at or below your jawline. Have short hair? Keep top layers soft and long. Long hair? Go for wavy layers that graze your cheekbones.
Celebs who share your face shape: Katie Holmes, Jennifer Lopez, Rachel Bilson, Reese Witherspoon, Ziyi Zhang
Avoid: Blunt-cut bangs and harsh, choppy layers.

Just for Sitters

http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/jobs/headers
_52134/Tbabysitting_basics2.jpg

http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/jobs/babysit_p3.html

Maybe you've been babysitting forever and have lots of neighborhood families on your list. Maybe you just landed your very first job babysitting for your cousin. Whether you're an old pro or just starting out, babysitting is a fun way to spend some time with kids while making some extra money.

Being a babysitter is all about responsibility. As long as you're on the job, you're in charge. Not only do you have to make sure the kids are happy, you have to make sure they're safe and that their needs are taken care of.

If you're new to babysitting, check out this guide to learn how to be the best babysitter around. Been babysitting forever and think you have it down? Read on for a quick refresher course in babysitting basics, just to be sure.
Rule #1: Be Prepared

We borrowed this motto from the Boy Scouts, but we knew they wouldn't mind: It's the rule for anyone who wants to know what to do in an emergency. Most babysitting jobs are a breeze and nothing goes wrong - except maybe for an occasional fight over the last orange popsicle. But for the rare times when an emergency does happen, you want to be ready to handle it. Be sure you know the following:

Emergency numbers. These include:

* the local emergency number (911 in a lot of areas, but check to be sure)
* the number for the fire department that covers the area in which you're babysitting (if different from the local emergency number)
* the number for the police covering the area in which you're babysitting (if different from the local emergency number)
* the number for the local poison control center

A lot of parents have these numbers posted by the phone or on the fridge; if not, ask.

Other important numbers. Ask parents to also leave these numbers:

* parent's cell phone or beeper number (if they have one); if not, the number for the place they'll be
* phone numbers for a few trusted neighbors
* phone numbers of any relatives who live in the area
* phone number for the children's doctor

Ask the parent which number he or she wants you to call first. If there's a serious medical emergency, the best practice is to call 911 first, but if it's a less serious situation, such as cuts or scrapes, a parent may want you to call him or her before calling the doctor. Find out what the parent's preferences are.

Medical information. Is a child taking medicine? Do any kids have asthma? What about allergies? Parents should give you information about a child's medical conditions so you know what to do in an emergency. For example, if the child is allergic to bee stings, you will want to know where the parents keep the kid's epinephrine shot (a pen-like device that gives a shot of fast-acting medication that can save the life of someone with severe allergies). The parent should also train you in how to use the shot on the child - it's easy if you know how to do it.

Where you are. Sounds basic, but it's so basic that many people forget to make sure they know the correct address of the house they're in. You may know it's the green house four houses down from yours, but that won't help the fire department in an emergency. It's also easy to forget small details like a street name or number when you're caught up in an emergency - some people even forget their own address. Many parents post their address and phone number with the emergency numbers, but if you don't see it, ask. You won't sound stupid, and they'll appreciate how on the ball you are.

Fire safety procedures. Every family should have a fire escape plan with more than one exit from the home, as well as a designated meeting place outside the house or apartment building. Be sure that both you and the children know them.

Practicing fire escape plans can be a good activity for the children and, like school fire drills, it never hurts to run through a family's escape plan regularly. Make sure the kids know not to hide; to stay low to the ground; to feel doors and doorknobs for heat before opening them; to stop, drop, and roll if their clothes or hair catch fire; and to not go back into the house for any reason. Even preschoolers can learn and understand fire safety procedures. Check out the National Fire Protection Association's Sparky the Fire Dog site (click on the Resources tab at the right) for some family fun activities.

Another activity to do with kids is testing smoke alarms. You can never test them too often, and that way you know they're working for your own peace of mind - and you can tell the family if they're not. Finally, ask the child's parents to show you where they keep fire extinguishers.

Lifesaving techniques. It's a good idea to learn basic first aid (which includes the Heimlich maneuver for choking) and infant and child CPR before embarking on your babysitting career. Discuss this with your parents, because you'll have to attend courses and make a real commitment to learn these lifesaving procedures. But it's worth the trouble to feel confident that you're trained to help in an emergency. Plus, having these skills could give you an edge over other babysitters who don't: Parents really like these qualifications. Check with your local hospital, YMCA, or Red Cross; they often offer babysitting courses that include training in these areas. Some high schools do, too.


Rule #2: Know What to Expect

Every family you babysit for will be a little different. Having an idea of what to expect can make your babysitting experience safer and more enjoyable for everyone.

Know the family and the neighborhood. Your safety is as important as the safety of the kids you'll be watching. If this is a first babysitting job or you're just starting out, make sure you or your parents know and trust the family you're babysitting for. Give your parents the address and phone number of where you'll be.

It can feel strange to be in charge of an unfamiliar home, so help yourself feel more secure by locking windows and doors after the parents leave. Don't answer the door to strangers and never tell telephone callers that you are alone. If there is an answering machine at the house where you are babysitting, use it to screen callers you don't know.

Know the kids you'll be babysitting. Of course, babysitting a 2-month-old baby is pretty different from babysitting a 10-year-old kid. Know the ages of the kids ahead of time. If you don't feel comfortable babysitting a newborn, for example, then don't take the job. You need to feel you're in control, and if you're unsure, it's better to wait for the next job.

Know how many kids you'll be babysitting. You think you're babysitting for the Simon twins, but when you arrive you also see their two 5-year-old cousins and a 7-year-old friend. Perhaps you're not ready to take care of five small kids at once. Most adults aren't! So ask ahead of time how many kids there will be - including friends and relatives. If you arrive and there are too many kids, say something to the parents. They may let you call a friend to help, or they may call and ask another babysitter to come and join you. And if you get loaded up with too many kids again, cross the family off your babysitting list.

Know how you'll get home. Make sure that you have a ride home from your babysitting job. Don't wait until the last minute - check before you leave your house to make sure that a parent or sibling can pick you up at the right time. If the parents you're babysitting agree to take you home, that's great, but don't assume that they can or will. If you live within walking distance but it's after dark when the parents get back, ask someone to walk you home.

Eating, bathing, homework, and other fun stuff. You need to know exactly what's expected of you. It's not unusual for parents to want you to feed the kids, give them a bath, or help them with their homework before you put them to bed. Plus, make sure you know if the kids have any special requirements. For example, parents should tell you about any food allergies or nutrition needs a child has before you start whipping up dinner.


Rule #3: Stay Focused on the Kids at All Times

It doesn't matter how short or how long your babysitting assignment is. As long as you're in charge of children, your job is to babysit - and nothing else. Naturally, this doesn't mean that you can't go to the bathroom. But otherwise, you should be with the kids every minute they are awake. It can be pretty tempting to leave them in one room while you watch TV in another room, but kids can get into trouble pretty quickly. Keeping an eye on everyone means you'll be less likely to need those emergency numbers.

This rule is especially important if you're giving kids a bath. Never leave a child unattended in the tub, even for a minute; small children can drown in as little as an inch of water. If the phone rings, let the answering machine pick it up, or let the caller call back. And if you have a bashful kid who's embarrassed to be naked, draw the shower curtain to give him or her some privacy. You could also bring a book or magazine into the bathroom with you and "read" while the child takes a bath, covering your face if you have to.

Once the kids are in bed, you are free to do what you want - within the parents' guidelines. Most parents will say it's fine to watch TV or movies or to talk on the phone. Just remember to keep calls from the family's phone local and short, in case the parents try to call and check on the kids.

Some parents may say it's OK to have a friend come over after the kids are asleep, but you should definitely ask if it's alright to have a friend visit beforehand to avoid problems. If you don't ask and the parents come home early and find you and your pal hanging out, they may not ask you to babysit again. Some parents may think you're too distracted by the friend to focus on the kids, others may not like the thought of someone they don't know in the house. Just as you want to know what to expect, so do they.

Even if a child is in bed, be aware that he or she may need you. It's a good idea to check on the kids every half hour or so. Don't get so involved in other activities that you miss a child's call or an unusual noise. Nightmares, a drink of water - anything that wakes a kid and gets him or her out of bed is something you need to be there for.

After a night of successful babysitting, you'll have more than a heavier wallet and a great referral. You'll have the satisfaction of a job well done - and you'll have learned more about what's involved in taking care of kids!

Updated and reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: May 2004
Originally reviewed by: Neil Izenberg, MD, and Kim Young-Conner, RN

http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/jobs/babysit_p3.html