Maternity Monday - Our "Due In" Rhinestone Tees from Time Out Mom

How many times a day do you actually get asked this question? I'm sure you've lost count! We all know its everyone's way - even strangers - of showing their love and concern for your ever growing belly. But being there first hand...twice...I know it gets old answering that same question over & over again.

Our "Due In" and "Bump" shirts let you tell everyone before they ask! Black fitted maternity tees embellished with clear rhinestones in the month that you're due are available in either short-sleeve or long-sleeve depending on the month. A great gift for your wife, sister or girlfriend or a fun way to share the news with everyone!

These shirts are handcrafted from mom-owned business Time Out Mom. Check out her site at timeoutmom.com for more great info from everything to the correct steps in giving your toddler a time out to the importance of giving yourself a mommy "time out."

Take a Summer Stroll with UppaBaby Strollers.

We love the UppaBaby stroller family...the super utility Vista stroller system & the lightweight umbrella strollers G-Luxe and G-Lite. I love the Vista so much so I traded in all my old strollers (yes, that would've been three) for this all-in-one stroller. The biggest selling point for me on the Vista is all the attachments that are available, its truly a stroller that will grow with your baby...and your family (good-bye Zooper stroller, you've served us well but we're moving on)! From the car seat adapter (good-bye Snap-n-Go) to the piggyBACK (good-bye Sit-n-Stand)
or add the rumble seat (very comparable to Phil & Ted's) and remember, it also comes with the basinette.

This stroller is the only one we carry at the store right now...because I love it so much. Sometimes I think to add other strollers in the store...someday I will when I can find one that won't compete with how great the UppaBaby is! Come take it for a test drive. We can custom order any color for you.

advice from moms. to moms. on baby #2.

If you've been in the store on a wednesday or friday, you may have met Dana and may have noticed that she is growing the newest addition to HullaBaloo...a little baby boy...and is due in a couple weeks!

So in her honor and to all my other friends, family & customers who are busy growing baby #2 I am passing on to you some invaluable advise that moms have given me. I have used all these tips...I'm not too proud to take advice...and truly believe that they have helped eliminate any "adjustment issues" for big sister Mary.

* when I'm holding the baby, I try not use that as an excuse as to why I can't help Mary with something at that moment. An example - when she asks for a cup of juice, instead of saying "you have to wait I'm holding/feeding the baby now" I'll say "daddy would love to get you some juice" or "I'll do it in just 2 minutes". The hope is that she won't resent the baby for taking up my time but rather its just mom asking her to wait a minute...again.

* if Ruby is fussing & I'm in the middle of something else - which is almost always - I'll make a point to say something like "just a minute, I'm putting Mary's shoes on" or my favorite "I'll be right there Ruby, mommy is going potty". It just puts a little bug in Mary's ear that yes, I do things for you first & that the baby doesn't always come first. Make little things up if you have to just to let it be heard.

* I also give Mary warnings as much as possible with things like "Ruby is getting ready to eat, do you want me to get you a snack...cup of juice...before I feed her, because I won't be able to while I'm feeding her". Then if she asks for something while I'm busy with the baby, I can respond with "I asked if you needed anything and you said no, so now you need to wait until I'm done". This helps her learn to take responsibility for the decisions that she makes.

* I always, always, always let Mary hold/kiss/hug/snuggle Ruby whenever she feels the need. No matter who is holding her or what we're doing at that moment, even if it's grandma...sisters trump grandmas or aunts or any company!!! We've also set up rules for holding the baby. She must sit "criss-cross applesauce" because it helps support the baby up front. We've had serious conversations about the baby's wobbly head, that you must always hold their head. And about the soft spot, that you must never press on the top of their head. We also have her do most of the holding on our bed. The surface area is large and soft if she were to accidently drop the baby, she wouldn't be falling to the floor.

So girls thanks for all your advice! Mary has adjust wonderfully to being a big sister! I don't think that she could possibly love her one bit more than she always does!! And good luck to all you moms out there...as always its a learning curve...but of course well worth it!

Summer Fun Dresses from Flit & Flitter

This has been one of my favorites from the store this summer. Flit & Flitter creates girl's clothes in a chic bohemian look that is very uniquely their own style. I love the mix of colors and patterns in the Posey collection - not to mention the cutie pootie in the photo - thanks again to the fablous photography of Kelli from Purple Tree Photography!

Become a "Fan" of HullaBaloo on Facebook.

Are you addicted to Facebook at much as we are? Then look for us and "become a fan" (enter "HullaBaloo Maternity" in the search box and we should come up). Check out our photos for new children's spring items as they arrive and our great gifty gift photos. And check back often to see whats going on in the store...hints on sale items, new items, promotions and events!