Enjoy these special quotes about mothers from QuoteGarden.

Woman in the home has not yet lost her dignity, in spite of Mother’s Day, with its offensive implication that our love needs an annual nudging, like our enthusiasm for the battle of Bunker Hill.  ~John Erskine

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.  ~Tenneva Jordan

Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs… since the payment is pure love.  ~Mildred B. Vermont

If you have a mom, there is nowhere you are likely to go where a prayer has not already been.  ~Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com

If the whole world were put into one scale, and my mother in the other, the whole world would kick the beam.  ~Lord Langdale (Henry Bickersteth)

Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.  ~Author Unknown

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born.  She never existed before.  The woman existed, but the mother, never.  A mother is something absolutely new.  ~Rajneesh

All mothers are working mothers.  ~Author Unknown

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts.  A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.  ~Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty

Mother – that was the bank where we deposited all our hurts and worries.  ~T. DeWitt Talmage

God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers.  ~Jewish Proverb

A mother understands what a child does not say.  ~Author Unknown

I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me.  They have clung to me all my life.  ~Abraham Lincoln

Women’s Liberation is just a lot of foolishness.  It’s the men who are discriminated against.  They can’t bear children.  And no one’s likely to do anything about that.  ~Golda Meir

A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest.  ~Irish Proverb

Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children, and no theories.  ~John Wilmot

You don’t really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around – and why his parents will always wave back.  ~William D. Tammeus

Now that… my kids are grown, I understand how much work and love it takes to raise and to keep a family together.  The example of your strength, devotion, and patience is now rippling through the generations.  Thank you!  ~Forest Houtenschil

Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother.  ~Oprah Winfrey

A mom’s hug lasts long after she lets go.  ~Author Unknown

It kills you to see them grow up.  But I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn’t.  ~Barbara Kingsolver, Animal Dreams

A mother’s heart is a patchwork of love.  ~Author Unknown

On Mother’s Day I have written a poem for you.  In the interest of poetic economy and truth, I have succeeded in concentrating my deepest feelings and beliefs into two perfectly crafted lines:  You’re my mother, I would have no other!  ~Forest Houtenschil

Children are a great comfort in your old age – and they help you reach it faster, too.  ~Lionel Kauffman

Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.  ~William Makepeace Thackeray

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.  ~Washington Irving

This heart, my own dear mother, bends,
With love’s true instinct, back to thee!
~Thomas Moore

Insanity is hereditary; you get it from your children.  ~Sam Levenson

The one thing children wear out faster than shoes is parents.  ~John J. Plomp

Most mothers are instinctive philosophers.  ~Harriet Beecher Stowe

Before a day was over,
Home comes the rover,
For mother’s kiss – sweeter this
Than any other thing!
~William Allingham

Where we love is home – home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.  ~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

A Freudian slip is when you say one thing but mean your mother.  ~Author Unknown

Sweater, n.:  garment worn by child when its mother is feeling chilly.  ~Ambrose Bierce

All women become like their mothers.  That is their tragedy.  No man does.  That’s his.  ~Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, 1895

A man’s work is from sun to sun, but a mother’s work is never done.  ~Author Unknown

Making the decision to have a child is momentous.  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.  ~Elizabeth Stone

Parents often talk about the younger generation as if they didn’t have anything to do with it.  ~Haim Ginott

Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.  ~Charles R. Swindoll, The Strong Family

There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.  ~Chinese Proverb

Never raise your hand to your kids.  It leaves your groin unprotected.  ~Red Buttons

If nature had arranged that husbands and wives should have children alternatively, there would never be more than three in a family.  ~Lawrence Housman

Setting a good example for your children takes all the fun out of middle age.  ~William Feather, The Business of Life, 1949

What I did enjoy, however, are some “alternative covers” created by Babble, with some headlines that really reflect what TIME is trying to accomplish here.

My favorite is this one:

Amen to that. The only time it is socially acceptable to put breasts on a family-style magazine is when it come to breastfeeding. Then it’s OK to let it all hang out. There is nothing about this cover that reflects the values of attachment parenting– nothing wholesome or nurturing about it. Instead, it’s suggestive, obnoxious, and obviously  meant to get attention. Come on, TIME, get a life!

See more great alternative covers at Babble!

This study showed that the intake of salmon increases omega-3 fatty acid levels both in the mother and child and improved their antioxidant defenses.  It should be noted that the salmon used in this study was reared in a fish farm under a controlled diet including special ingredients (vegetable oils and food as algae and zooplankton); through this diet, salmon became rich in omega-3 fatty acids and presented high concentrations of antioxidant vitamins – as Vitamins A and E – and selenium; in addition fish contained very low contaminant levels.

Read more about the study here.

feature photo

Way back when I was growing up, if you wanted to see your photos, you had to actually get the film developed, and then you had a nice package of tangible photos that you had to sort through and arrange in albums. Now, I  have hundreds of digital pictures of family and friends, milestones and celebrations, family trips and holidays stored on my computer. But albums? Not since my firstborn was a baby!

This is why my family and I absolutely love photo books! It makes the process of taking the images from your camera and putting them into beautifully arranged books that you can treasure forever a piece of cake.  And with all the fun and creative designs and layout options, its like a cross between a gorgeous scrapbook, an engaging story, and an old-fashioned  photo album. No scissors, no glue, no mess!

Using photo books, you can create beautiful, organized memories of every special occasion, every holiday, every vacation, and all the sweet every-day moments in between that you don’t want to forget.

If you’ve never tried putting a photo book together, there are many good reasons to give it a try!

1. It’s so easy! There are lots of great sites that make it a snap. Once you’ve uploaded your pictures, they’ll even arrange them for you. But be forewarned– it’s so fun to pick colors, themes, and layouts, you may find yourself spending hours fixing it up!  They come in all shapes, sizes and materials!

2.  Another amazing thing is that once you’ve finished, you can order one for yourself, one for your grandparents, and one for anyone else who wants it! You can save them and reorder any time. It’s already put together, and it makes a great gift for those special people who share your life.

3. It keeps everything organized and looks so pretty lined up on the shelf! You won’t have to deal with loosing photos and bending edges as your little ones turn the pages. I know from experience that when my little ones look through our older albums with the “real” pictures in them, they tend to get rearranged and sometimes lost!

As your babies grow up, they’ll love looking at these books as much as you!  So don’t keep those cherished pictures stored away on your hard drive where no can appreciate them! Get started on a new photo book right away. We hope you’ll have fun!

Smocked flutter-sleeve tunic – Gap Maternity $19.99

Tiered Maternity Babydoll Top - Milan Maternity $27.00

Ivory Lace Short Sleeve Shirt - Sweet Pea  Maternity $23.99

Maternity Cowl-Neck Tops - Old Navy $26.94

Ruffled Button-Tab Dress - Old Navy $20.00 (sale)

Pintucked V-Neck Dresses - Old Navy 19.99

Yellow Maxi Maternity Dress - Sweet Pea Maternity $27.99

Button-Up Maternity Cardigan - Sweet Pea Maternity $23.99

Maternity Fold-Over Skirts - Old Navy $19.94

Black Distressed Boot Cut Maternity Jeans - Sweet Pea Maternity $29.99

Linen Smocked Waist Boot Cut  Maternity Pants - Motherhood $29.98

Fun and creative baby shower themes

Tea Party: A chic alternative to your standard baby shower, guests can dress in formal attire and enjoy a sophisticated sit-down party with real china, fresh flowers, and elegant food.

Book Shower: All the guests are invited to bring their favorite children’s book! You can include something fun like a stuffed toy or game that matches the subject of your book.  A great way to start baby’s library!

Mommy Shower: Focus on the mom-to-be instead of the baby! This is a great idea especially if she’s already got a lot of the baby paraphernalia she needs. Guests can bring gifts for mom such as gift certificates to her favorite (grown-up) store, fashion accessories, books, etc.

Scrapbooking Shower: If the mom-to-be is a scrapbooker, have all the guests bring something meaningful, useful, or funny to include on her scrapbook page. It can be something written, like a story, poem, letter, or parenting advice. It can be photos or other objects that recall a fond memory. Lots of creative options!

Noah’s Ark: A fun theme for the mom expecting twins–guests bring 2 of everything!

Nine Months: Everyone is invited to come to the party nine-months pregnant! Stuff your top with pillows so the mom-to-be won’t feel self-conscious… it’s a great ice-breaker too if your guests don’t all know each other!

Freezer Party: If mom is expecting a second or third, she may not need all the stuff that new moms need. Instead, each guest can bring a freezer-friendly meal to be put away for later! Now the family has a home-cooked meal to eat even when mom does not feel up to cooking.

Baby Shower Invitations

Once you’ve got an idea or theme for your party, the next step is picking out invitations!

E-mail or Snail mail: Email is the economical choice, but it's always fun to send and receive real paper invitations. There are so many lovely colors, patterns, and designs to choose from!

Plan Ahead: Give your guests a few week's notice. This will hopefully prevent them from scheduling something else on that day, and give ample time for gift shopping!

All the Info: Make sure to include all the important information such as date, time, and location, who it's for and RSVP instructions. Include registry information if the mom-to-be is registered anywhere. If you're having a theme, let the guests know so they can plan/dress accordingly!

Baby Shower Planning

Here are some helpful guidelines and tips for planning a shower!

Hosting: Although traditionalists will say that a non-family member should throw the party (so it doesn't look like anyone's begging for gifts) it's really OK for anyone to be involved in the planning.

When: Showers are usually held near the end of the pregnancy, when excitement about the new arrival is peaking. Having a baby shower after the baby is born is fine too, especially if the sex of the baby is being kept a surprise.

Guests: Consulting with the mom-to-be is definitely best when putting together a guest list. You don't want to leave out anybody important! Baby showers are traditionally a women-only affair, but co-ed parties are becoming more popular... especially if Dad wants to be part of it.

On the Agenda: Showers usually consist of some sort of refreshment or meal, an activity or silly game, socializing, and gift opening. You can offer prizes for the game winners, or party favors for everyone. A theme can make the planning a lot easier to pull together!

So what can you do to help them?

If your baby is breastfeeding, you may have to sit down and think about your diet. The foods you eat affect your baby, and something in your milk could be causing his horrible tummy-aches and ear-piercing cries.

The idea of an elimination diet was developed by William G. Crook, M.D. (Detecting Your Hidden Allergies, Jackson, Tenn: Professional Books, 1987) and adapted by lactation counselor Martha Sears as follows:

The diet is based on eating the least allergenic food in each of the food groups. It can take up to two weeks for the offending foods to get out of your system, and bring your baby some relief.

1. For the first 2 weeks, eat only the following foods:

• range-fed turkey and lamb
• baked or boiled potatoes and sweet potatoes (with salt and pepper only)
• rice and millet as your only grain
• cooked green and yellow squash for your vegetable
• pears and diluted pear juice for your fruit
• Drink a rice-based beverage drink in place of milk on cereal or in cooking. Do not yet use soy beverage. (Rice products, such as rice beverage, rice-based frozen dessert, rice pasta, rice flour, and millet are available in nutrition stores.)
• Take a calcium supplement.

2. At the end of two weeks (sooner if the colic subsides)  gradually add other foods to your diet, one every four days. Begin with those less commonly allergenic such as sunflower seeds, carrots, beets, salmon, oats, grapes, California avocado, peaches.

3. Wait a while before you add wheat, beef, eggs, nuts, and corn. Avoid for the longest time dairy products, soy products, peanuts, shellfish, coffee, tea, colas and other beverages containing caffeine, chocolate, gas-producing vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onions, green peppers), tomatoes, and citrus fruits. Vegetables and fruits are often tolerated in cooked form sooner than in raw form.

4. Keep a record of the foods you eat and the problem behaviors. You’ll hope to see a correlation between what you’ve eaten in the past day or two, and baby’s fussy spells. Writing everything down helps you stay objective, which is hard to do when you are sleep-deprived. This is especially important when baby has stayed fussy past four months of age.

5. Do not starve yourself. Although your choices will be very limited at first, you can still eat a nutritious diet. Eat more of the “safe” food until you determine what your baby can tolerate.

6. Older babies are often less sensitive to fruits and veges, so protein elimination is generally recommended. This means cutting out dairy, beef, eggs, chicken, shellfish, soy, corn, wheat, and peanuts, in addition to any other foods you suspect bother your baby.

The good news: Dr. Sears states that colicky babies usually respond to mother’s diet changes dramatically and quickly, often within one or two days. It may take longer with an older baby who is night-waking. Often , mothers will find that their baby may sleep better for a few nights only to start waking again a lot for a few days or a week, at which point the sleep again improves. It’s important to know this so you will not think “it isn’t working,”  and give up.

For more information on colic and tips to help you through it, visit Dr. Sear’s Coping with Colic page!

feature photo via Hug Your Baby

So for those who are eager to know, how soon is it possible to find out your baby’s sex?

It’s basically just a question of how soon the ultrasound technician can see what needs to be seen, if you know what I mean. Using a standard ultrasound test, a baby’s gender may generally be determined between 15 and 25 weeks.

Another thing to factor in is the baby’s cooperation- some are just more modest than others and don’t let anyone get a good look! It is possible, during the earlier part of pregnancy, for mistakes to be made. Waiting until the middle of pregnancy will definitely give you a more accurate answer!

feature image: Carters

Don’t be so quick to judge a package by it’s label! Many of these appealing descriptions are simply misleading, and it’s always advisable to get out  your reading glasses and try to decipher the list of ingredients on the back of the package (they do put some of those lists in tiny letters, don’t they?!).

While the labels usually don’t outright lie, they can use tricky terms that stretch the truth more than you’d believe. As a parent it’s especially important to ignore the hype and be aware of the following trendy terms:

• Pure: Well, you don’t want contaminated food, do you? But “pure” actually has no regulated meaning in food labeling and doesn’t tell you about things in the package that perhaps should not be there.
• Natural: It sounds so appealing, but is probably the least trustworthy term. Consumers think it means that this food is as good as freshly picked off the tree… but it really says nothing about the nutritional quality or safety of the food.
• Made From… The food may have started out with whatever is printed on the label, but who knows to what extent the food is then diluted, processed, or hydrogenated. It may be quite far removed from the actual food it is originally “made from.”
• Made with real fruit/veges: The law does not require the label to say how much real fruit is in the product. So you may have a tiny percentage of fruit in a product that is mostly sugar.
• Made with whole grains: Check the list of ingredients and you may be surprised to see that the product contain mostly refined flour with just a small amount of whole wheat added.
• Fat Free: Suppose a food is labeled 95 percent “fat-free.” This means that five percent of the total weight of the food is fat, (which may not seem like much), yet a single gram of fat contains nine calories – compared to four calories in a gram of protein or carbohydrates. Five grams of fat in 100 grams of dark-meat turkey represents one-fourth of the calories in that serving.
• Enriched: This often means that after doing something to the food that removed many of it’s nutrients, another process was required to put some of the good stuff back in. For example, enriched white bread is not as healthy as its whole wheat counterpart.
• Smoked: This term legally describes the flavor of the food. So while you might imagine your food being smoked in an old-fashioned smokehouse, it could actually be artificially or chemically smoked, or just contain smoked flavoring.
• Fruit drinks: These may contain little or no real fruit juice, and might be mostly sugar and water. If it says “high in vitamin C,” it may have added vitamins but still be a long way from real orange juice.
• Organically grown, organic, pesticide-free, all natural, and no artificial ingredients: None of these terms say much about the nutritional value or safety of the product. Trust only labels that say “certified organically grown, which means that the food was grown without chemical fertilizers and pesticides, in soil free of these substances.

For more information on family nutrition and being label-savvy, visit AskDrSears.com, or click on one of the following links!

But what is making you so tired? How can that tiny little growing being inside you be sapping so much of your energy? To fuel the baby-making, your body is producing more blood, your heart rate is up, your metabolism is working overtime, and you’re using up more nutrients and water. It also takes four months until the baby’s placenta  is complete. So it’s no wonder you are always fighting fatigue!

So when a nap is not an option, and the show must go on, what kind of energy boost can you hope for?  Sugar and caffeine may give you a temporary high, but after the initial surge in blood sugar you’ll plummet lower than before. What you need are some nutritious, energy-boosting foods to help you get through the day.

image credit: all diets review

Grazing (eating 5 or 6 small meals instead of 3 big ones) may be the best way to eat while pregnant. You’ll keep your energy levels even and avoid the nausea that may accompany a too-large meal. And be sure to drink plenty of water.

And while you’re not literally “eating for two,” your body does need about 300 extra calories per day.  Bon appétit!

Protein: Recommendation for pregnancy: 75 grams of it per day. Helps keep you energized and aids in the development of your baby’s rapidly reproducing cells.

• milk, cheese, and yogurt
• eggs
• lean meat and poultry
• fish and seafood
• beans, lentils, split peas
• quinoa
• nuts and seeds

Complex Carbohydrates:

• whole-grain breads, crackers, and cereals
• fresh, dried, and frozen fruits
• fresh vegetables
• baked potatoes with skin
• dried beans and peas

Iron: Fatigue can be related to iron-deficiency anemia, especially in pregnant women. Iron-rich foods will keep your irons stores elevated and help pump up your energy level.

• dried fruit
• spinach
• soy products
• lean red meat
• duck
• cooked shellfish
• cooked dried beans
• oatmeal
• iron-fortified cereals

Putting it all together: Here are just a few meal and snack ideas to help you get that little extra energy-lift.

• Sandwiches of whole-grain bread filled with grated cheese, tuna, lettuce and tomatoes.
• Salads with fresh veges and feta cheese
• Low-fat yogurt with dried fruit and granola
• Hummus with bread or vegetable sticks
• Fresh fruit
• dried fruits and nuts
• Hearty soups with veges, beans, legumes, chicken or meat
• Oatmeal or unsweetened breakfast cereals
• Fruit-shakes and fresh-squeezed juice
• Chicken breast with baked potato and steamed veges
• Whole-grain pasta topped with grilled veges and salmon