ask the mom what else she needs for the baby

The more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you'll find that the subject of baby registry is certainly no exception.

Chances are if you are reading this, you are expecting a new addition to your family. This is such an exciting time, with lots of planning and preparing! One of the best gifts you can give to yourself (and your new little one) is to put together a baby registry. Having a registry lets your family and friends know what you would like to have on hand for baby without having to worry about receiving doubles or triples of certain items; or worse, receiving a green and yellow crocheted bottle cozy from Great Aunt Betsy!

Your first item of business will be to choose one or two stores that specialize in baby gear and make sure they offer a baby registry. Now the fun begins! Whether you choose an online retailer or visit a store, you will get to browse, compare and then put together your wish list.

I trust that what you've read so far has been informative. The following section should go a long way toward clearing up any uncertainty that may remain.

“How do I know what to choose?” you might ask. There are many books and websites available that will offer you a variety of lists that will help you pinpoint the items you may need. When you begin your browsing, you are going to want everything for your special little angel.

Take into consideration the baby’s gender, what really the baby needs. For a first baby, there will be many things that he will need. Having to look at a baby registry if the mom to be has one, can help a lot, since you will know what the baby really needs. If there is none, you could always ask the mom what else she needs for the baby.

When word gets around about your command of baby registry facts, others who need to know about baby registry will start to actively seek you out.

cute baby

Would you like to find out what those-in-the-know have to say about baby registry? The information in the article below comes straight from well-informed experts with special knowledge about baby registry.

If you are a first time planner or an experienced planner, you can benefit by following some simple strategies to ensure your baby shower goes off without a hitch.

Here's what the experts recommend when it comes to baby shower planning:

1) Decide when the shower should be held. Most are held before the baby comes but some mom's are superstitious and would prefer a shower be held after baby's arrival. Be sure you check in first to plan accordingly.

2) Decide where the shower will be held. Usually this is a location other than the mom to be's home.

3) Decide who should be invited. If you are hosting, you should always ask the mom to be who she wants invited before you make a list. You may find she wants a co-ed party or a small family only affair. Be sure you check in with her before you get started.

It's really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the subject of baby registry. What you learn may give you the confidence you need to venture into new areas.

4) Send out invitations and be sure to include R.S.V.P. information and baby registry information. You'll want to know exactly how many people are coming and your guests will want to know where they can buy the guest of honor some great gifts.

5) Decide on a theme. This doesn't have to be anything elaborate. It can even be as simple as ‘pink' if the mom is having a girl. You might consider asking the mom to be, she might have a theme in mind. This will help you plan decorations.

6) Order a cake or decide on the type of cake you want to make. A cake is a must have for all baby showers.

After the gifts are open, usually guests have some cake, mingle some more and then leave. You might consider having some party favors available for guests. A great idea is mini baby bottles filled with jelly beans or some other inexpensive treat!

The most important thing to remember about baby shower planning is that everyone should have a good time. Sit back, relax and don't stress about minor details. Most people are just looking for a good laugh and some time to pat mom to be's growing belly!

Is there really any information about baby registry that is nonessential? We all see things from different angles, so something relatively insignificant to one may be crucial to another.

it all about baby registry

The following article lists some simple, informative tips that will help you have a better experience with baby registry.

Chances are if you are reading this, you are expecting a new addition to your family. This is such an exciting time, with lots of planning and preparing! One of the best gifts you can give to yourself (and your new little one) is to put together a baby registry. Having a registry lets your family and friends know what you would like to have on hand for baby without having to worry about receiving doubles or triples of certain items; or worse, receiving a green and yellow crocheted bottle cozy from Great Aunt Betsy!

A mother who is breastfeeding needs to eat a healthy diet in order to produce enough good milk. You should try and get an extra 500 calories a day, drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluids, and avoid drugs, alcohol, caffeine, and smoke. You should also rest as much as possible while breastfeeding, since breast infections are aggravated by fatigue.

If you don't have accurate details regarding baby registry, then you might make a bad choice on the subject. Don't let that happen: keep reading.

Your first item of business will be to choose one or two stores that specialize in baby gear and make sure they offer a baby registry. Now the fun begins! Whether you choose an online retailer or visit a store, you will get to browse, compare and then put together your wish list.

“How do I know what to choose?” you might ask. There are many books and websites available that will offer you a variety of lists that will help you pinpoint the items you may need. When you begin your browsing, you are going to want everything for your special little angel. The reality is that you really won’t need everything that is offered.

This article's coverage of the information is as complete as it can be today. But you should always leave open the possibility that future research could uncover new facts.

The latest from the baby registry authorities

If you have even a passing interest in the topic of baby registry, then you should take a look at the following information. This enlightening article presents some of the latest news on the subject of baby registry.

If you are adamant on having a large basket then fill it the same way only this time stuff and cram in more padding. You need not struggle to fill the basket if you add bigger items like a baby pillow or cushion - one of each if need be.

Knowing the gender of the baby will make your task a slight easier in helping you decide on what is to goe into your gift basket. Ask the pregnant mum for a baby registry list if she has one, this will also help with your content picking. Let your imagination run wild when making selections. Fillers like cloth nappies, disposable diapers, teething rings, and baby feeding bottles are gifts that are welcomed with open arms as they are all useful for mom when raising the baby.

Gift baskets are very popular today and indeed is a wonderful idea which can either be purchased made-to-order or ready-made. Or, you can make one yourself by putting together all baby items that you like for the baby. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Know first the size of the basket that you will use. A very large basket may be difficult to fill, so a medium sized is recommended. Usually, craft stores sell baskets of different sizes, shapes and colors. Shredded tissue paper and raffia make great fillers to be layered at the basket’s bottom, alongside with baby towels and blankets.

2. If you do have a large basket, you can easily fill it up by choosing bigger items as well, such as crib comforters, stuffed bunny or teddy, pillows or crib bumpers.

So far, we've uncovered some interesting facts about baby registry. You may decide that the following information is even more interesting.

3. Take into consideration the baby’s gender, what really the baby needs. For a first baby, there will be many things that he will need. Having to look at a baby registry if the mom to be has one, can help a lot, since you will know what the baby really needs. If there is none, you could always ask the mom what else she needs for the baby.

4. Consider having a theme. You can load the basket with everything pink for a baby girl or everything blue for a baby boy, or everything having a “pooh” or a dinosaur design. A bedtime theme basket filled with story books, music CD, blankets, pillows, pajama, musical crib mobile and a teddy bear can be a wonderful idea. Be creative and let your imagination soar.

5. Another way of being creative is instead of using a basket, a baby tub, a diaper bag, a small laundry basket or a trunk can also be used.

6. For a tub, you can fill it with baby bathing accessories, such as soaps, towels, bubble bath, powder, baby shampoo, lotion and bath rubber toys.

7. For the trunk, you can fill it with baby’s keepsake book, monogrammed items, receiving blankets, heirloom items, a picture frame and an inspirational book all about mom and baby. You can also place a little inspirational note containing all your wishes for the baby. This will add a more personal touch to your gift.

That's the latest from the baby registry authorities. Once you're familiar with these ideas, you'll be ready to move to the next level.

what is baby registry?

The following article includes pertinent information that may cause you to reconsider what you thought you understood. The most important thing is to study with an open mind and be willing to revise your understanding if necessary.

The addition of a new child to a family is a wonderous occasion! An adopted baby is just as much a miracle as any other and should be celebrated as such.

And all babies need “stuff”, even an adopted child, so having an adoption baby shower for this child is not only acceptable, but necessary.

There are some differences you should consider when attempting to plan this a baby shower for adoption. You will need to know the age of the adopted child first of all. Some couples may have adopted a baby, but others may have adopted a toddler or older child.

So, if you are following proper baby shower hostess etiquette, then it would be much appreciated if you can provide gift ideas to the baby shower guests well in advance. This can be done in different ways, depending on what are more comfortable with.

Sometimes the most important aspects of a subject are not immediately obvious. Keep reading to get the complete picture.

A second mailing of gift ideas or registry cards can follow the baby shower invitations, or baby shower guests can call you with questions. Gift ideas are not generally given with baby shower invitations. Although baby registry cards or information are common. Again, it depends on how intimate the group of baby shower guests are.

You can have a sort of birthday party for the new addition incorporating a theme that they will enjoy, for example, Winnie the Pooh or The Wiggles. This is also a great way for everyone to meet the child and allow them to instantly feel like part of the family.

Whenever you get responsibility to suggest gift suggestions always be moderate and be practical (put yourself in the shoes of others to understand them). It should be something that suits everyone involved.

Now that wasn't hard at all, was it? And you've earned a wealth of knowledge, just from taking some time to study an expert's word on baby registry.

When should I hold the shower?

Are you looking for some inside information on baby registry? Here's an up-to-date report from baby registry experts who should know.

When should I hold the shower? Baby shower etiquette generally dictates that the shower should be held 1-2 months before the baby is due. This gives the parents enough time to go out and shop for important items that they did not receive at the shower. You do not want to hold the shower too close to the due date, in case the baby comes early. You may instead decide to hold a “welcoming” baby shower one to three weeks after the birth of the baby (just make sure that you give the guests enough notice! You obviously will not know when this sort of shower can be held until the baby is actually born). This sort of shower is great for parents who did not want to know in advance the sex of their baby… guests will know whether to bring gifts for a boy or a girl. It is also good to hold a “welcoming” baby shower so that family and friends who are coming into town for the birth of the baby can attend, as well.

Baby Shower Invitation Cards are a time saver for the hostess. It is also a good idea to have more invitations than you need. If you send invitations by mail, you want an envelope that stands out so that it doesn't look like junk mail.

The best time to learn about baby registry is before you're in the thick of things. Wise readers will keep reading to earn some valuable baby registry experience while it's still free.

What should I give the guests? Part of good baby shower etiquette is making sure that the guests have a good time. After all, they deserve to have a little fun as payment for the great gift that they are giving. What you give the guests does not matter so much as the fact that you should give something. Be sure to have plenty of food and good drinks at the shower. You can send each guest home with an additional party favor as well. You can also have some lovely gifts as prizes for baby shower games.

Should fathers and men be invited to the shower? Traditionally, baby showers have been held for women, but there is no baby shower etiquette rule that states that men cannot come, too. Fathers enjoy opening presents, too! Of course, if you do decide to invite males, try to stay away from games that are too cutesy that they may not like. Try to think of foods and activities that both men and women would enjoy.


Those who only know one or two facts about baby registry can be confused by misleading information. The best way to help those who are misled is to gently correct them with the truths you're learning here.

Gift for baby registry

The following paragraphs summarize the work of baby registry experts who are completely familiar with all the aspects of baby registry. Heed their advice to avoid any baby registry surprises.

It takes a lot of preparation to welcome a baby into the world. To some extent, baby gift registries ensure that the parents will receive useful gifts rather than well-meant yet inappropriate presents. Gift registries also make it easier for the friends of the parents to get something for the newborn. Instead of coming up with the same blanket or rattle or a toy that everyone else would have also tried to get for the baby, each present will be different and also something that would be genuinely needed by the parents.

Registering for gifts for the baby needs to be done before the baby shower. The baby shower is usually hosted by the friends or close relatives of the new baby. The registry can be drawn up either in-store or online. Many popular stores have their registries online. All the expectant parents need to do is register themselves on the site and start choosing items for their wish-list.

I trust that what you've read so far has been informative. The following section should go a long way toward clearing up any uncertainty that may remain.

Some expectant mothers will create a baby registry their friends and family members can use to shop for gifts for the baby shower, so it is always important to check to see if such a registry exists.

A baby shower registry makes it much easier for friends and family members to shop, and helps ensure that every gift purchased is one that is needed and will be appreciated.

So now you know a little bit about baby registry. Even if you don't know everything, you've done something worthwhile: you've expanded your knowledge.

baby registry: Baby Gift Registry

Many stores offer baby gift registries where the expecting parents can register and can make a list of what they require for their coming baby. To create your own customized baby gift registries could be an exciting event for many of the soon-to-be mothers. Most often, women register in their fifth or sixth month of pregnancy but they prefer to wait to a bit closer to their due date or until right before their baby shower.

Gift registries are basically an expectant mother’s wish list where they can register for anything and everything that their heart desires. Using baby registries is a perfect way whereby friends and family can get for the expectant parents whatever they want and need for their new little one. If it is their first baby, they will need many things or almost everything as compared to their second or other child. Would be mothers can register for gifts to stock the nursery like furniture and baby bedding, adorable baby clothes or baby essentials like diapers and bottles. Baby registry can therefore make the lives of the expectant mother and her baby much easier with anything from necessities to luxuries.

Other benefit of a gift registry is that it is easier to find something within your budget if you are searching a gift for the mom-to-be. If the mom-to-be has a baby shower, it is possible that the name of the store where they have registered will be included in the invitation. And if it is not then you can always ask the hostess of the shower whether or not the mom-to-be is registered somewhere.

When baby showers take place before the birth, it’s best to plan them at least two months in advance. This allows for the occasional unexpected early deliveries and gives the mother time to arrange and organize all of her new things before the heaviest and hardest part of her pregnancy. Remember, mom needs lots of time to rest and adjust to all of the new changes.

If the baby shower is taking place after the delivery, you want to plan the baby shower for at least 4-6 weeks after. This gives mother and baby time to adjust to their new routines before being the center of attention at a big event such as the baby shower. Baby showers given after the birth have an advantage because the name and sex of the baby are known for sure. This makes baby shower gift giving more personalized and even simpler for the mother by saving her time, sparing her from needing to make unwanted exchanges.

Think of how many baby shower or other type of invitations will be needed in your lifetime! Take out the middleman and do it yourself to add your own unique style and ensure it’s done on time and done right the first time.

A final tip: proofread thoroughly before the final print of the baby shower invitations for a boy to make sure that all of the information on the invitations is accurate. Names, dates, addresses, and phone numbers need to be spelled correctly.

Baby showers are a fun and delightful way to honor your sister, neighbor, co-worker or friend. This is your special gift to them. A baby shower invitation is only the beginning to planning the best baby shower and making the baby shower a memorable occasion for all the participants.

baby registry: Celebrity Baby Names Blog Launches 'What Will Britney Spears Name Her New Baby?' Contest

The birth of Britney Spear's new baby is only weeks away. In honor of this major event, the Celebrity Baby Names Blog is holding a contest to guess the name of the new baby. But is it a boy or a girl? Britney's baby registry may hold the answer.

(PRWEB) September 5, 2006 -- The birth of Britney Spear's baby is only a week or so away. The burning question? What will she name her newborn? To help gather the best guesses from Britney's fans worldwide, the Celebrity Baby Names Blog (http://www.celebritybabynamesblog.com) is pleased to announce the launch of a contest to pick the baby name: "What Will Britney Spears Name Her New Baby?"

Contestants need only visit the blog to enter the contest. The first contestant to correctly predict the name of Britney's new baby will win a year's subscription to a major popular magazine plus a new infant/toddler car seat.

Rumor about the baby's supposed female gender is spreading, based on the preponderance of pink items in the baby registry established by Britney and husband Kevin Federline. The Celebrity Baby Names Blog does provide a link for contestants to follow so they may view the baby gift registry and decide for themselves if a girl is on the way. Even armed with that knowledge, it's still a wide open question: what will Britney name her new baby? Visit the Celebrity Baby Names Blog to enter.

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baby registry: ‘Guy’ takes Weiner to next level as author

By Lauren Beckham Falcone
Tuesday, September 5, 2006 - Updated: 11:04 AM EST

OK, admit it. You Googled your ex last night. Or you found his wedding registry. Or baby registry. Or his MySpace account.

No matter. He’s on your brain and you’ve been wondering, between commutes and bills and dirty diapers: what if?

Leave it to bestselling author Jennifer Weiner (“Good in Bed,” “In Her Shoes”) to mine that very obsession for all it’s worth.

Weiner’s new offering is “The Guy Not Taken” ($24.95, Atria) - a collection of 11 short stories written this year and last and some when she was a teenager.



“What happened is sort of a roundabout story,” said the 36-year-old author in an interview from her summer home in Truro. “An editor from Glamour wanted me to write a short story for them, so I send them ‘Dora on the Beach’ and they liked it, but the main character was too old for their target audience. So I told them I had this idea for a story about a woman who comes across her ex’s online wedding registry, based on my experience of surfing www.theweddingchannel.com for the name of every guy I ever dated. I mean, what did God make the Internet for if you can’t check up on your ex?”

And in a plot twist right out of a Weiner novel, the short story was optioned by DreamWorks and an anthology was born.

“I was really surprised,” she said. “It was very unexpected, but very cool.”

Of course, writing short stories is a far cry from working on a novel, Weiner said.

“There are good and bad things about it,” said Weiner, a fan of the collected works of Lorrie Moore, Amy Bloom, Stephen King and Ray Bradbury. “You’re done with it, you can write a good short story in a couple of weeks, but with a novel, you’re - at least I’m - stuck with that baby for a year. But the hard part is you have to think about the details that you use to get your point across in 20 pages vs. 400.”

With her latest collection, however, Weiner is proving that the masters of the oft-maligned chick lit genre are voices to be reckoned with.

An accessible anthology that takes readers on a ride through divorce, heartbreak, insecurity and what might have been, “The Guy Not Taken” is a tender, thought-provoking read that puts Weiner on the map as one of her generation’s best literary voices.

Weiner, however, just puts her head down and works. Oh yes, and she started a MySpace account. But not to lure curious ex-boyfriends.

“Networking,” she said. “Also, I’m desperately clinging to youth. At 36 with a 3-year-old? I’m trying to stave off the inevitable. MySpace was cheaper than plastic surgery.”

baby registry: STREET DATE San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley

Though it was once a historic thoroughfare connecting Oakland and Berkeley to points east, San Pablo Avenue is more than just a faster alternative to Interstate 80 when the freeway is a parking lot. The street's retail offerings are constantly evolving, especially near Dwight Way in West Berkeley. Sandwiched between auto repair garages and international food markets, this stretch of San Pablo (dubbed "the Left Bank" by some business owners) may easily be overlooked, but its eclectic mix of vintage, clothing and home decor shops, cafes and restaurants -- as well as the East Bay branch of the sex toy mecca Good Vibrations -- makes this emerging neighborhood one to watch.

1. Hobbyhorse

2447 San Pablo Ave.: This hipster haven sells a mix of retooled vintage finds and handmade designs by shop owner Jess Feury. Its offbeat stock of clothing and accessories pairs well with the shop's whimsical decor, like an origami-bird window display. Hobbyhorse also hosts art exhibitions, craft nights and fashion shows. (510) 666-0570, www.ilovehobbyhorse.com.

2. Juniper Tree Supplies

2520 San Pablo Ave.: This store has everything a bath-product lover could want. DIYers can find everything they need, including tips from the helpful staff, to create their own candles, soaps, bath salts and lotions. For those more inclined to buy than make, Juniper Tree also sells beautifully packaged variations of all of the above, including Votivo and Voluspa candles, plus vanity-worthy perfume bottles and other pampering supplies. (510) 647-3697, www.junipertreesupplies.com.

3. Magnet

2508 San Pablo Ave.: At her trendy boutique, owner Camille Mason sells super-soft T-shirts and tanks, high-end jeans, stylish bags and other clothes from well-known labels like Corey Lynn Calter, Kasil and Talla, as well as those by local designers. (510) 848-1966, www.magnetboutique.com.

4. Sea Salt

2512 San Pablo Ave.: The proprietors of Lalime's, Jimmy Beans, T-Rex and Albany's Fonda bring sustainable seafood dining to West Berkeley. Cult favorites like the bacon, lettuce and trout sandwich, tuna tartare and fish and chips lure diners to this neighborhood haunt for both lunch and dinner, as do the newly heated and lit garden patio and the daily happy hour special: $1 chef's choice oysters from 4-6 p.m. (510) 883-1720, www.seasaltrestaurant.com.

5. Dollybird

2522 San Pablo Ave.: This funky boutique-gallery would be right at home on Haight Street or Telegraph Avenue. Rock 'n' roll baby clothes; a global array of kitschy gifts, from Day of the Dead mirrors to Japanese action figures and Uglydolls; and a well-selected assortment of handmade jewelry, bags and T-shirts line the brightly colored walls and shelves. Dollybird even offers a baby registry and Christmas wish list. (510) 540-7255, www.hellodollybird.com.

6. Ecology Center

2530 San Pablo Ave.: How Berkeley can you be? This center (also the organizational home of the Berkeley Farmers' Markets, Farm Fresh Choice and Terrain for Schools) is a treasure trove for the ecologically minded -- or those just curious. Here they can find books on environmental and social justice topics, info on home composting, pest control and sustainable living or take a class on everything from Beekeeping in the City to Permaculture Design for Women. (510) 548-2220, www.ecologycenter.org.

7. Caffe Trieste

2500 San Pablo Ave.: This corner cafe -- an East Bay outpost of the North Beach coffee shop -- bustles throughout the day, attracting caffeine addicts with strong espresso drinks as well as morning pastries, light lunch fare (panini and salads), gelato and happy hour beer and wine. Live music many nights of the week, and they have Wi-Fi. (510) 548-5198, www.caffetrieste.com.

8. Ohmega Salvage

2400 and 2407 San Pablo Ave.: For more than three decades creative homeowners, architects and contractors have come to Ohmega Salvage for unique finds. Vintage fixtures, Art Deco tubs, stone garden fountains and antique lighting are just some of the gems you'll find here. The stock changes often, but be warned -- some of these treasures don't come cheap. (510) 204-0767, www.ohmegasalvage.com.


GOOD TO KNOW
The Berkeley International Food Festival, a celebration of West Berkeley's diverse community, is held in late April, with food, live music and dance, cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts booths and cultural presentations. www.berkeleyinternationalfoodfestival.com.


GETTING THERE
From either east or west Interstate 80, take the University Avenue exit and head east to San Pablo Avenue. The street is also served by a number of AC Transit lines.


PARKING
Free one-hour street parking from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Saturday.

Karen Reardanz, 96Hours@sfchronicle.com