Ideal for both mom and baby, Gentle Baby is a blend of some of our favorite oils:

• Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) has been used for centuries for skin care. It revitalizes tissue and nerves and has relaxant, anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious effects.

• Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) is soothing and nourishing to the skin, enhancing skin elasticity, and is antibacterial and antifungal.

• Lemon (Citrus limon) increases microcirculation and lymphatic function. Its fragrance is stimulating, invigorating and antidepressant. (Komori, et al., 1995). • Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is known as the universal oil. It is beneficial for skin conditions, such as burns, rashes, and psoriasis and prevents scarring and stretch marks. It is relaxing, grounding, and combats depression.

• Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) is beneficial for dry, greasy, irritated, or sensitive skin. Also brings out femininity and helps with depression and nervous exhaustion.

• Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) combats restlessness, insomnia, muscle tension, and inflammation.

• Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) is simultaneously uplifting and calming, with a unique ability to relieve anxiety, stress, and tension.

• Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) increases relaxation; balances male and female energies. It also restores confidence and equilibrium.

• Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii) combats candida, rashes, and scaly and flaky skin. It stimulates new cell growth, as it moisturizes and promotes healing. Antimicrobial, it also helps reduce tension and helps recovery from nervous exhaustion.

• Rose (Rosa damascena) used for the skin for thousands of years, it promotes healthy skin, reduces scarring, and promotes elasticity.

This is one of the oils we never go without.  I keep a bottle of Thieves in the medicine cabinet, cleaning cabinet, and in my purse.  And at least a few times a week, we diffuse it throughout the house.

Why do they call it Thieves?  Well, there’s a story behind it.  During the plague of the 15th century, there was a French band of thieves who covered themselves in aromatics and herbs as they went around robbing dead or dying plague victims.

The thieves were eventually caught, and legend has it, that by offering to share their plant-based “suit of armor” they received a lighter punishment.  Their recipe included the oils in what Young Living now calls their Thieves blend:  cloves, cinnamon, rosemary, eucalyptus, and lemon.

This proprietary essential oil blend has been tested for it’s cleansing abilities.  It is highly effective in supporting the immune system and overall health.

A useful gift set at a perfect price point!  This lip balm trio includes three essential oil-infused balms that will moisturize and protect your lips this season. Trio contains:

- Grapefruit Lip Balm to refresh lips and seal in moisture

- Cinnamint Lip Balm to nourish and protect dry lips

- Lavender Lip Balm to repair and soothe dry, chapped lips.

Another Dr. Sears reference book I’ve had since my oldest was born, and I’ll save it for when my boys have babies of their own.  This advice never gets outdated.

In their excellent (and hefty) resource guide, The Baby Book, attachment parenting specialists William Sears and Martha Sears have provided new parents with their approach to every aspect of baby care basics, from newborns to toddlers. Attachment parenting is a gentle, reasonable approach to parenting that stresses bonding with your baby, responding to her cues, breastfeeding, “wearing” your baby, and sharing sleep with your child. For those parents who worry about negative effects of this attention, the Sears say, “Spoiling is what happens when you leave something (or some person) alone on the shelf–it spoils.” –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

I read this book a few years before Ricki Lake’s documentary, “The Business of Being Born” came out.  The entire Sears family, but mostly this author – Martha Sears changed my whole perspective on birth.  I went from patient/victim with my first birth to an empowered mother who knows her body was designed to birth a baby the second time around.  I can’t say enough wonderful things about this book!

In The Birth Book: Everything You Need to Know to Have a Safe and Satisfying Birth, William and Martha Sears, authors of The Baby Book and creators of the concept of “attachment parenting,” here turn their attention to the birth experience. In this helpful resource guide, the Searses cover the gamut of possibilities, and teach readers what they need to know to take control of their own birthings. The Birth Book is divided into three parts: “Preparing for Birth,” “Easing Pain in Labor,” and “Experiencing Birth.” You’ll find details about vaginal births; cesareans; VBACs; water births; home births; best birthing positions; drugs; pain; how to design your own birth plan; the humor, chemistry, and sexuality of birth; and pages and pages of birth stories.

The newest book from the Dr. Sears family of pediatricians library.  Although The Baby Book covers when to call the doctor, I wish I’d had this guide from the moment my oldest was born!

Imagine you are up at three o’clock in the morning with a sick child. Wouldn’t it be nice to have expert advice readily at hand to help get you through the night? Encyclopedic in scope, THE PORTABLE PEDIATRICIAN features timely and practical information on every childhood illness and emergency, including when to call the doctor, what reassuring signs can help you know your child is okay, how to treat your child at home, and much more-all in a convenient A-to-Z format.

The Searses guide parents and caregivers from a child’s infancy through the teen years, teaching them what to expect at regular checkups as well as how to boost a child’s well-being, devise a family health plan, work effectively with their pediatrician, and more. Distinguished by the Searses’ trademark comprehensiveness, reliability, and accessible, comforting one, this book is a must-have for all families who want to keep their children healthy and happy.

This 6pc hand-crafted, hand-painted Dog family puzzle stands up to brighten any room. As beautiful to look at as it is fun to play with! Children play with the pieces like a playset, then put them together to form a puzzle, then display on a shelf to admire. Great first puzzle. Hand-crafted & hand painted with child-safe paints. Made from plantation-grown rubberwood, an environmentally-friendly hardwood. Ages 3+

Puzzle measures 6.5″ x 4″ x 1″

For over a decade, ImagiPLAY has created high-quality educational toys that inspire children’s imaginations and the desire to explore. With the abundance of toys available for children today, ImagiPLAY sets itself apart from the rest through its motto: “Toys with Integrity.” By producing quality products that connect with nature, have eco-friendly sources, and hold educational value, ImagiPLAY works to benefit the earth we share and the people that inhabit it.

I’m not sure how I would have ever gotten in and out of the grocery store sane with a toddler and an infant if I didn’t have this sling!  Our youngest was only happy when he was being held.  So if he wasn’t nursing, he was snuggled up in the baby carrier.  I recommend for just about every part of your day — well, except bending over to unload the dishwasher.

This organic cotton baby carrier from New Native is worn over one shoulder and the opposite hip. It is popular with those who find conventional carriers too bulky and are looking for something that can easily be stuffed into a diaper bag or purse. Baby can be worn in front, side or back. Ideal for discreet nursing, the New Native Baby Carrier is made from 100% cotton fabrics without buckles, padding or metal rings. Ideal for newborn to 35 lbs.

Sizing and colors available at the “Get Full Details” link.

As the mom of two boys, I can attest that pirates never go out of style.  My youngest has different ships for all the stories he acts out during playtime.

The My Adventure Galley Pirate Ship lets kids chart the seas of imagination and have amazing pretend play outings. You’ll also received two play pirates. Make them climb rope ladders, pose them in the Crows nest, and have them watch for land and hidden treasures.

Dimensions: 31 3/4″ x 9 7/8″ x 20″

Age: 3 +

Material: Wood

Since 1983, Educo® toys have earned international distinction for durability, quality craftsmanship, educational value and innovative design. While Educo bead and wire mazes are a common toy for homes, virtually every maze has been used in resource centers, classrooms, clinics and private settings as therapeutic and rehabilitation aids for children and adults who are physically, mentally, or emotionally-challenged. Every maze comes with an activity guide of suggested play activities for caregivers wanting to enhance play value and skill development.

Another one of our favorites, Grapefruit essential oil has been found to help with acne, fluid retention, digestion, and weight loss.  We love it also for it’s cleansing effects on the liver, kidneys and your body’s vascular and lymphatic systems.

Grapefruit’s powerful antioxidant d-limonene is nourishing to the skin.  Its fragrance can lift your mood, energize your mind and body, and has been used as an anti-depressant. Also helps with migraine headaches, pre-menstrual tension, fatigue, and jet lag.