Countdown to my Birth

Our first giveaway this week is a countdown calendar/pregnancy journal for new parents preparing for the birth of their baby. Countdown to My Birth: A Day-by-Day account from your baby's point of view is a page-a-day calendar that covers the forty weeks from conception to birth.

I was lucky enough to have met author Julie B. Carr in Las Vegas last week as she explained to me the idea behind this calendar. Her publisher, Meadowbrook Press, kindly offered this pregnancy journal (with stickers) to us to give away for our blogoversary celebration!

Each day will help expectant parents enjoy the milestones along the journey, from discovering the baby's first heartbeat to the point in which baby is able to open his eyes and begin to look around.

This makes a great gift, not only for new parents to learn more about their baby's development in utero, but for any parent-to-be.

To register to win, simply comment below with the expectant due date of your new baby or a baby you know and love. Don't forget to include your email address so I can follow up with the winner. Email addresses will not be published.

One winner will be selected at random at the end of the week.

Proud Body

I wish I had known about this belly-casting kit when I was pregnant with my son. I loved being pregnant and was even brave enough to wear a bikini on the beach when I was nearly six months pregnant (and unable to see my feet).

Proud Body is the original creator of these pregnancy art kits which are keepsake works of art which capture that precious time when baby was lovingly carried inside mommy's belly.

The Belly Cast Kit comes with everything you need including detailed instructions. It takes just 30 - 40 minutes and, after its dry, you can decorate it in any way imaginable!

You can also purchase the Belly Painting Kit to turn your pregnant belly into a work of art by painting right on your belly. Or you can easily apply one of the Tummy Tatts, and show off that expecting belly!

Visit the online gallery to find inspirational ideas for your own creation.

Purchase your belly cast, painting kit, or temporary tattoos today!

Happy Hour - Summer Edition

I'm pleased to announce the upcoming one-hour workshops offered this summer at Babies in Bloom, located in Vista, California.

Especially considering that most of the clientèle to this boutique are new or expectant parents, I'm excited to teach fresh parents skills and techniques to use for years to come.

HAPPY HEALTHY HIP PARENTING HAPPY HOUR
As a Certified Parent Educator through the International Network for Children and Families, I will be offering the following one-hour workshops:

Saturday, July 26th
11:00 am

HOW TO HANDLE CHILDREN'S FEELINGS
Participants will be able to learn the difference between feeling-stoppers and feeling-encouragers and how to work with children's feelings in each developmental stage.

Saturday, August 9th
11:00 am

TEMPERAMENT
Learn to identify 9 temperaments that can cause behavior challenges. Easy to use skills are taught to manage them.

Enroll today! Class sizes are limited.
*Enrollment is required for each workshop.
$25 per person; $40 per couple.
ASK ABOUT OUR DISCOUNT FOR NEW OR EXPECTANT PARENTS!

Please contact Happy Healthy Hip Parenting for more information or to enroll.

The Baby Planners™ Seal of Approval

I received an official Seal of Approval today from The Baby Planners™ | a Consulting Service for Expecting Parents!

In case you've missed it, they've had some wonderful press these past few months, from Daily Candy to The Washington Post to People Magazine! Check out their press page to read all about it!

They're also going to be working again with Babies R Us. They'll be featuring items from their stores when they showcase The Baby Planners' Five Essential Items for Bringing Home Baby tomorrow, Wednesday, June 25th on the KTLA Morning Show. Of course if you don't live in the Los Angeles area, please check out the link on their site in the coming days to view the segment.

They've also announced that they are now featured columnists on one of the most comprehensive social networking sites for new and expectant parents, The Cradle. Their monthly column "An Inside Look with The Baby Planners" started this month - visit them for the inside scoop on all things fabulous in babydom!

Baby Cravings

Are you looking for chic maternity style, quality & individuality? Look no further than UK based Crave Maternity - now available in the US!

With an impressive feel for fashion and quality, the collection offers the best in wearable maternity apparel helping moms-to-be to look fabulous seven days a week with key pieces that work for any day, any occasion.

Its flagship boutique is located in the heart of London’s Chelsea and is the best place to find the latest maternity style on the high street.

New styles designed to grow with you during each stage of your pregnancy will be arriving throughout the year both online and in-store to keep your maternity wardrobe as fresh as the season.

To help celebrate its U.S. launch, Crave Maternity invites all readers to take advantage of the 25% online discount code which also provides free shipping from the U.K.! All orders are taken in U.S. dollars. Shoppers should use code USA25 at checkout to receive this special offer.

The Well-Read Child

I enjoy reading blogs devoted to books and literacy. After all, my career (the one that provides a paycheck) is in children's publishing.

The Well-Read Child is my new favorite (among many). Just today, a review was posted about The Rookie Mom's Handbook, written Heather Gibbs Flett and Whitney Moss.

With 250 activities you can do with or without your baby, this book would make the perfect gift for new or expectant moms.