When I had my daughter I had a 3d ultrasound. It is something that I would do again if I have another child. The images from the 3d ultrasound are so amazing. I remember I got tears in my eyes when I saw my daughter for the first time.

I paid a little extra and walked away with a cd of the 3d ultrasound. It had amazing images on it and little videos where I could watch my daughter moving. It is worth the extra few dollars if you have the option of purchasing a cd of your 3d ultrasound.

I found an article that talks about 3d and 4d ultrasounds versus the old style 2d ultrasound. I hope you find it informative.

3D/4D Baby Ultrasound: See Your Baby Up Close and Personal

By Jenny Mondosa

Having a baby can be fun, exciting and a little scary all at once. Are you going to have a baby soon? If you're expecting parents and would like to have a chance to see your new baby up close and create a pre-birth bond which can be instrumental in drawing the whole family closer together.

Then keep reading..

Discovering what your baby looks like can be a very fun and rewarding experience.. If you are at all curious what your baby looks like. Then ultrasounds might be for you.

All mothers' nationwide are seeking 3d/4d ultrasounds because they feel it will have a positive impact during their pregnancy and helps them feel closer to the baby.

In recent studies it has been shown that viewing an ultrasound can cause marked improvement in maternal health habits.

Images created by traditional two-dimensional ultrasound technology cannot compare as a first portrait. Two-dimensional ultrasound produce black-and-white swirls and streaks for images, making it is very difficult in some settings, to identify the different bits of baby's anatomy.

Images can vary depending on the position of the baby, amount of fluid present, baby's gestational age, position, and mother's condition.

Do you want to see your baby up close in a 3D/4D ultrasound image?

It is now possible to do just that, with the technology of today you can create memories today with baby ultrasound technology that will last a life time.

You will be able to see every feature of your baby in a 3D/4D Dimensional image and capture all angles of your baby with this new exciting technology.

So What is 3d/4d Baby Ultrasound?

This is a medical technique, that is normally used by doctors and nurses during pregnancy, to display 3D/4D dimensional images of the new born baby. It is referred to as a 4D baby ultrasound. Ultrasound is nothing new, but the technology is.

Ultrasound has been around since 1987 and was developed by Olaf von Ramm and Stephen Smith fro Duke University.

Since that time. Over the last 20 so years, Ultrasounds have changed dramatically, with the advancements from 2D to 3D/4D technology you can now see all angles of your new born baby. This is because the new technology scan’s the whole area of the fetus and can make dimensional image changes based on it’s scans.

Thanks to our 3D/4D technology, now you don't have to wait until baby is born to feel the joy of seeing him or her for the first time.

Imagine seeing his or her little hands, a stretch, a yawn a kick. Their little mouth moving with their bodies as they change position. If you have never experienced this, It is truly a sight that will help form an extra special bond between you and your infant. Imagine being able to see what your special bundle of joy is really doing inside, even how big they are getting and what they look like..

To sneak peek and have your baby's first photos taken months before delivery! Images can vary depending on the position of the baby, amount of fluid present, baby's gestational age, position, and how far along the mother is etc..

This make’s the image more like a video clip and the parents can experience what it is like to view their new born before it’s actually born, This is very new technology and available to the general public for the very first time. See your baby up close and personal.

The 3d/4d ultrasound technology we have in-house is some of the best equipment in the business, you can check out more about use at our website where we have pictures and examples and testimonials of some of our clients.

About the Author: At Adorable Baby 3D/4D Ultrasound, http://www.adorablebaby3d.com you are able to "meet" your unborn baby! We use brand new 3D and 4D ultrasound technology so that you can actually see your baby in live 4D motion while in your womb. http://www.adorablebaby3d.com This article was brought to you by Jenny Mondosa of Adorable Baby 3d

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=378935&ca=Parenting

I have always loved the martial arts. I have found them very intriguing. So when I came across this article, I felt like I wanted to post it on my blog to share with everyone.

If there are any parent's out there wondering about whether or not they should put their child into the martial arts, then you will have to check this article out. I found the article through a martial arts website I love; One Inch Punch.

Early Childhood Education Advice - Martial Arts for your Toddler
by DEANNA MASCLE

Practicing the martial arts provides distinct advantages for older children and adults. Did you know that toddler-age children could also greatly benefit from the martial arts as well? Karate and Tae Kwan Do not only provide toddlers with exciting experiences with other children, but these arts also encourage motor skill coordination, concentration, and self-confidence. Add these skills with a touch of ancient Eastern wisdom, and your toddler will be learning life lessons that will serve him well in the years to come. (Note: although the pronouns "him" and "his" are used here, the martial arts are just as effective for girls!)

Between the ages of two and five, your toddler is growing in mind, body and spirit. These ages are distinctly important, as they set the tone for your toddler's life pattern of behavior. Childhood development experts recommend that toddlers participate in physical and mental activities to encourage personality growth, physical maturity, and socialization with others. The martial arts effectively provide these experiences in a variety of ways.

While your toddler is growing, his muscles and bones must develop strength and agility. Physical development occurs only when a toddler receives adequate exercise that including stretching, bending and muscle-building movements.

Have you noticed how clumsy toddlers can be? Although they have mastered the fine art of walking, they seem to trip over many things, including their own two feet! The martial arts excel at teaching your toddler motor skill coordination, precision movements that increase hand-eye coordination and foot/leg movements that help him learn balance and move him past the toddler "wobbles."

How long is your toddler's attention span? How about his ability to focus on tasks until they're completed? Is he able to memorize and retain information at a rate appropriate for his age? The martial arts require toddlers to concentrate and pay close attention to the instructions of the sensei (teacher); to be successful in the martial arts and in their lives, toddlers must learn to listen and thoroughly absorb the lessons. Your toddler will also learn to focus and follow through on tasks; dawdling and impulsivity aren't allowed! The sensei will re-direct your child's focus to mastering the task at hand; movements that can only be learned by strict focus. Your toddler will be required to memorize the order and types of movements, performing them flawlessly when prompted by the sensei. Thus, when he begins school, your toddler will have a distinct edge in learning language and abstract arithmetic skills.

The best things in life are not free. Hard work and discipline get you what you want and help you reach your goals. Unfortunately, toddlers only know that they want everything now. There is no later; there is no waiting. Right away is all that matters. In the martial arts, toddlers get their first taste of reality and learn self-discipline. They learn that they have to take things step by step and master each step before moving on to the next. There are no shortcuts.

Your toddler will learn that unprovoked aggression is never appropriate. The martial arts are defensive in nature; your toddler will learn that amicably getting along with others results from the self confidence of knowing that he isn't going to be harmed by schoolyard bullies. As he bows to his opponent, your toddler learns to show respect to others, increasing his own confidence. His mastery of the martial arts also teaches him that he can succeed in life tasks, thus building a confident, intrepid adult.

Your toddler's sensei will expose him to the enduring wisdom of Eastern philosophy and the ancient world. These are the concepts of avoiding foolish and self-destructive behavior, service to others, tolerance for differences, patience, loyalty and caution.

These days finding a martial arts program for your child isn't difficult. A reputable school (dojo) will allow you to sit in a class at any time and watch your child's progress. Don't be afraid to ask questions and stay for a couple of classes to see how the instructors interact with all the students. Who knows? You might want to join the fun too!

Discover more tips to help your childs development at http://childrenlearnmore.com

I blogged about some of the stuff that my daughter (toddler) was doing awhile ago in a blog titled Kids Do The Funniest Things. One of the things that I talked about in my previous blog post was my daughter's love for butter. Well, I just had to do a short blog today to update everyone on the butter issue.

What we had done was we stopped buying butter. We used to always by the heartsmart butter as it was, but we just decided to stop buying it altogether. We figured if our little one did not see the container in the fridge, she would stop asking for it. Then we had dinner guests and for one recipe we needed to get butter. We decided to try another brand of heartsmart butter. This one had no salt in it.

Today, our little one saw the butter container in the fridge again. She got the container and the bread and asked for butter. I gave in and gave her some. She took one lick and said "yuck." It was music to my ears. She does not like the butter without the salt in it. All along it was the salt she liked.

So we seemed to have solved one of the issues we were having.

Now if only we could learn what to do to make her want to get dressed and undressed. If she is dressed she does not want to change. Once you get the clothes off, she does not want to get dressed again.

Kids sure do the funniest things.......and I sure do love it. It keeps me on my toes and smiling.

Other than that, we have been blessed with sunshine and warmth today and were able to enjoy our swingset, bubbles, bubble sprinkler, kiddie pool, table sandbox and water table. It was a great day. We even got a tricycle ride in to go feed the ducks and their babies at the pond close to our house.

OUR SANDBOX
This is the best sandbox in the world. Off the ground so animals cannot get in it. Has a great cover so that it stays clean and covered. My daughter just loves it.

OUR WATER TABLE
This is the water table we have. It is a great product too. WOuld not buy a different one. Love the water wheel. Has been a great toy providing hours of entertainment. Sturdy and durable.

I have been pretty lucky with my daughter. She has always been a good sleeper. There were a couple of times where we experience her reversing night and day, but not very often. Usually if something changed in her sleep pattern, I could pretty much guarantee that she was getting a cold. Even to this day, if she does not sleep through the night or is having trouble sleeping, I know that she is feeling under the weather.

There has been one change in her sleep pattern that has not been related to a cold. Nap strike. Yep, she has been on a nap strike for quite some time now. She really still needs her afternoon nap, but she is just too busy to slow down and take a nap. A couple of times she has just passed out on the couch with a bottle because she was so tired out.

Usually what we have to do now is take her for a drive around nap time. She hates getting into the car because she knows she is going to fall asleep. It is a fight the entire way. But once she is in the car, within about ten minutes she is fast asleep.

It is a hard decision on whether to make her nap or not. If she does not nap she has a little grumpy period in the early evening. But without a nap she goes to bed early and falls asleep quite quickly. This allows me to get a bit of time to myself in the evening, which is really nice.

If she has a nap, then she goes to bed later and is very difficult to get to sleep. This means that I do not get time to myself in the evening, which I miss when I do not have that time to relax and have a quiet coffee. Also, if she does nap, I am usually driving her and getting nothing done because she is asleep in the car!

It is a tough decision because it seems that my daughter still needs her naps. Sometimes I just let her decide if she is going to nap by whether or not she falls asleep on the couch. Other times, if we have to go get stuff done, we all will go so if she falls asleep one of us can stay with her in the car. I pretty much let our day and daughter decide if there is going to be a nap time. I am starting to believe that she is just slowly getting used to not having or needing a nap. I think that we are in the transition time where the nap strike is no longer a strike and just a loss of the nap altogether.

A useful tip that my doctor told me........
Lavendar helps a baby sleep. Every night before bed, I massage my daughter with oil that contains lavendar in it. She enjoys the time. She learns the names of her body parts as we put oil on her knee, elbow, leg, belly and so on. It also keeps her skin very soft and smooth.

Happy Mother's Day to every mother out there. You have been working hard all year chasing your little ones around, answering 'why' so many times, driving here and there and everywhere, balancing schedules and always putting your's last. Today is your day. I hope that you have an amzing Mother's Day.

If you have not seen this Anita Renfroe video on what a mom does in a 24 hr period, you have to take a look. It is extremely funny!

I added this video on what a dad says in a 24 hr period as it just did not seem fair to not put it in

Mom, Happy Mother's Day. You are the best mom in the world. I am an amazing mother because you taught me through your actions. I love my mom more than words. We are far apart and yet we still text each other more than once everyday. We say good morning, good night and sometimes even a 'hey how are you doing." I still blow my mom a kiss when I hang up from talking to her. My mom means the world to me. I try every day to mother my daughter as my mom mothered me. I hope that I am successful and have as good a relationship with my daughter as my mom has with me.

If you have not heard of Robeez Shoes then you have to take the time to check them out. They are, in my opinion, the best shoes out there for your little one. I used them from day one with my daughter.

The first type I purchased for my daughter was the soft sole Robeez shoes. These are so perfect for new little feet. They are also machine washable and come out just perfect. What more could you want?! They come in such a variety of colours and patterns there is something for every taste.

The soft sole Robeez shoes are also almost impossible for your little one to kick off. So the chances of you loosing one in the shopping mall or out and about I would say from my experience, is slim to nil. I never lost a Robeez shoe. They did not get kicked of or fall of my daughter's feet like other more traditional shoes.

For winter time, I purchased the Robeez booties. They are so adorable! They come in a few colours that I know of. I have seen a dark brown, a tan and an adorable pink which I bought for my daughter. They have a soft sole and are fuzzy on the inside. They kept my daughter's feet nice and toasty. I used them when she was not walking. They might not be so great for walking in the winter as they are soft soles.

I had so many comments on my daughter's pink Robeez booties it was incredible. People thought they were adorable.

When my daughter started walking. I wanted something with a sole so she would not get hurt if she stepped on anything. I purchased her a pink pair of shoes from the Robeez tredz collection. The soles on these shoes are very flexible, but provide that protection should they step on something.

There is also a Robeez collection called the Weekend Collection. They are adorable slip on runner type shoes.

I purchased so many Robeez shoes for my daughter I lost count of how many she actually has had. I fell in love with them so much. They are extremely durable. I love that the soft sole shoes are washable, especially with the little ones.

I recommend these shoes to every parent for your children. They are great as shoes and as slippers in the house. I think you will love them.

I found that the prices of the Robeez shoes were more expensive in the store than they were if purchased on line. I also found that most of the stores that carried the Robeez shoes, had limited selection. The Robeez website has a huge selection of course.

I hope that if you end up purchasing a pair of Robeez after reading my blog about them, that you love them as much as I do. I have yet to meet a parent that did not like the Robeez shoes. So many parents I know purchase Robeez shoes for their children, that it seems to becoming a trend to have them bronzed as their child's first shoes. I know this is what I am going to do for my daughter's first pair of Robeez shoes.

I want to talk about one of the best things a pregnant mom can buy. It is a very inexpensive item, but the memories and quiet pondering moments it brought to me are simply irreplaceable. What I am talking about is this tiny, little book that you read to your baby in utero. More about the book in a moment.

We all know that our babies hear our voices when they are in the womb. So we often hear people say to talk to your baby or read to them while they are in utero. So I decided to do this the entire time I was pregnant. At first it felt a little strange in a way to be talking to my belly! Once I felt my daughter kicking and moving it felt so awesome to talk and know she was in there moving, listening, growing. It was an amazing experience.

My fondest memories are of reading the little book I started to talk about above to her. This tiny, little book is called "Oh Baby The Places You'll Go A Book To Read In Utero." It is a Dr. Seuss book!

I found it a hard book to find and I had to buy it from a specialized book store. It might be more available now. It is available on Amazon. You can click the image of the book above to check it out.

I read that little book to my daughter basically every night. It was a moment I would love. Resting in bed, rubbing my big tummy, feeling for her movements and kicks and reading her the book. I think that just about every time I read that book to her a tear formed in my eye. Sometimes it made me weep with joy and excitement. No matter what, it was an amazing experience and amazing moments with my daughter while she was in utero.

I had to have a planned c-section so I knew when we were the night before her birth. My mother and sister were down for the birth. My fondest first memory of all of us ladies together with my daughter is the night before she was born. We sat on the bed. I was tired and had swollen ankles...luckily something I only had a week before the c-section. My sister was rubbing my ankles to help the swelling. I showed my mom the book I read every night. That night would be the last time it would be read to my daughter while she was in utero. What and exciting night. My mom opened the book and began to read. I type this moment now and tears form in my eyes. What a moment in life. What a wonderful time full of emotions to share with my daughter, her Aunt and her Nanny (what we call grandmother) and of course me, the new mommy.

As Nanny read each page, everyone's eyes slowly filled with tears. Turn the page and more tears. Nanny closed the book and everyone of us was full of tears, excitement and anticipation. We all loved my daughter so much that words could not express it and we could not wait to meet her the next day. What an exciting time!

I have often wished that there was some way that I had, had that moment with all us ladies sitting on the bed reading the book, on video. Then I realize that it is not necessary. It was a moment that did not need recording. It is a moment that will stay with me for my lifetime. It plays back in my head as clear as if it is happening right now. I can feel my emotions and my swollen ankles. I remember rubbing my tummy. I remember where my sister and mom were sitting. I can hear my mom's voice saying each word of the book. I can feel the tears of joy. It is a moment frozen in time for me to re-experienced over and over again.

I wanted to write about a few things that kids do. I am hoping that we can all participate in the discussion. Why does my little one do that? Does your little one do this?

Tell me the funny, exciting and quirky things your little one does. Let's not feel alone out there.....

Butter

One of the things I find just interesting is my little one's love of butter. Everyday she goes to the fridge and gets the butter out and asks for butter. She wants butter on bread, toast or crackers and she simply licks it off. Once she has licked it clean, she is back for more. She never eats the toast, bread or crackers, they are simply a vehicle to get the butter into her. Does anyone else have a little one who loves butter?

Shoes, Boots & Jackets

Ok for the longest time I could not get footwear on my daughter. She loved shoes and boots, but when it came time to go out, she did not want anything on her feet. It was a major fight to just get shoes on her. Once she had her shoes or boots on she was happy as can be and forgot all about them.

Now, I cannot get her shoes or boots off of her. She has decided now that she loves shoes and boots so much she is not willing to take them off in the house. If we take them off her it is like you just took her favourite toy away from her. She will cry for her shoes or boots once they are off.

The same thing happens with jackets. I used to not be able to get one on her. Now she can be dripping with sweat and she still does not want to take it off. I think she likes the coziness of the jackets and sweaters.

Hats

My little one loves hats. She is so cute in them. She always has one on. Whether it is a toque (even in summer) or a baseball cap, she wants them on her head. If she sees a hat section when we are shopping we have to make a pit stop so she can try them on and look at how cute she is in the closest mirror. It is really adorable.

Strollers & Buggies

Ok this was a big issue for the longest time. I would be shopping, carrying my little one around because she was refusing to sit in the stroller or shopping cart. I was sweating and tired. I did not enjoy shopping, which if you knew me was a surprise. I would see all these other kids in strollers, buggies and shopping carts. I could not figure out why my little one just would not sit in anything.

Then about two weeks ago I asked her again if she would sit in the buggy at the store. She said yes. I thought she was teasing me, but she actually sat in it and stayed in it the entire time we were shopping. Once I woke up from passing out of complete and total surprise, I actually enjoyed shopping. When we went to leave the store, I went to pick her up out of the buggy and she screamed. People around me must have thought she had just hurt herself she was screaming so much. All the sudden, she did not want to get out of the buggy.

My little one now has a new love for strollers, buggies, shopping carts and anything else she can sit in. She wants to now sit in her stroller in the house! We have managed to compromise and she now will get out of the shopping cart or whatever she is sitting in when it is time to leave. Phew!

Sleeping

Well, I could write a number of blogs about sleeping and I will get to them. I have endured sleepless nights (as does everyone), nap strikes, sleeping for long hours (which I am ok with), change in nap times and just about everything else you can think of. What I want to talk about here is my little one insisting on sleeping with her favourite things.

I have pictures of my little one sleeping with her bike helmet on, socks, shoes, jacket, necklace and so many other things. Do not worry, I always take them away or off once she has fallen asleep. I almost had to put her to bed last night with her umbrella.....luckily she forgot about it just before she got into bed.

My little one certainly develops a love for things and just wants to cuddle them, even if they are not so comfortable. It is rather cute. It is also not worth the fight to try to take them away. It is easier to let her fall asleep with her helmet on and just slip it off once she is asleep!

Lemons

Does anyone else have a little one who loves lemons? Mine is crazy about them. She eats them like oranges. It is funny when we are at a restaurant and she takes the lemon from my plate or drink and starts eating it. If I look around the restaurant, I can see others making a sour face watching her. She does not make a sour face....she loves them.

Nose

Ok this one I could use advice on.....
My little one loves to pick her nose and eat it. She then announces to everyone "nummy." I have tried and tried to get her to stop, but it is not working. Now I am trying the ignore it method to see if that works. I think she thinks it is funny so I am trying to not giver her attention when she does it. Does anyone else have any ideas?

Ok.......that is all for now..........
Send me your comments and ideas so others can see your suggestions.
Don't feel alone in anything related to kids because they do the funniest things for us all. That is what makes them so adorable and special.