Volume 2, Issue 13; December 2007
Baby Steps: Tis the Seasons
December 2007
Shhhh! I have a confession to make: In the past three years Siaka and I have not purchased Christmas presents for one another. I would like to claim it was because we are above the fray and that we don’t buy into Holiday commercialism. Instead it was for one reason alone—money! Like countless families during the Holidays, we found ourselves in a financial bind. With two children to feed and a mortgage to pay, the Holiday hustle and bustle of purchasing gifts just didn’t seem all that important. Do I miss standing in long lines, crowded malls, traffic, frantic people, and staying up all hours wrapping presents? NOPE!
Noirbaby's Best Gift Picks:
Useful and Fun Gifts for the Kids and You
It’s that time of year where shops are crowded and families are looking for useful gifts to please discriminating tastes. At Noirbaby, it’s a tradition to provide ideas for useful Holiday gifts that won’t break the bank. With 2007 being the year in which toys recalls were the norm instead of the exception, we made every effort to find products that are not only safe, but as close to natural as they come! Our list offers gifts you might not have thought of and that you might not even have known existed. For your convenience, we’ve arranged them in order from the least to the most expensive items. May our suggestions make your Holiday season more fun and just a little easier.
The Jingle of Freedom Bells
By Jamara Bells
During the Civil Rights Movement, the jolly embrace of Christmas could not mask the grim environment that blacks were force to endure. The country had lingered in its oblivious stupor until it was forced to gaze at itself through a cracked mirror mottled with the blood and sweat of several individuals who fought against injustice. Two Civil Rights defenders who brought in the Christmas season with a longing for justice are R. Kelly Bryant, Jr. and Aaron Henry.
10 Rules for Baby-Proofing
The house is one thing, but your marriage may need baby proofing, too.
By Denise Mann Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
WebMD Feature
Most new parents know they will eventually have to cover their electrical sockets and take other steps to baby-proof their home, but what they may not know is that it can be equally important to baby-proof their marriage.
Twice as Much Time, Half as Much Money
Are your kids getting too much of a good thing?
By Robin Whitsell
Apex, NC mom Cat Lewis isn’t worried about her kids, ages 5 and 3, understanding money. A financial representative with Primerica, Lewis has a good sense for how to live within her family’s financial means and how to communicate financial goals with her children. She is passionate about fighting debt and helping other families embrace a lifestyle where values are more important than spending. Lewis learned this lesson the hard way.
The Connection You Share with Your Baby
By Robin Whitsell
Julianna Rhodes is a nurse. Her husband is a pediatric cardiologist. These two circumstances are very likely the reason her infant daughter, Harper is alive today. Despite thorough screening, including a detailed “level 2” ultrasound, Rhodes had an undiagnosed condition called vasa previa that endangered Harper’s life just as she was being born. This condition had nothing to do with baby or mother – both were healthy. It had everything to do with the connection between them.
Comoros: Cultural Convergence
By Jamara Bell
The name of the African nation of Comoros comes from the word qamar, which is Arabic for moon as evidenced by the moon depicted on the nation’s flag. Comoros is comprised of a group of islands located in the Indian Ocean between the eastern coast of Africa and Madagascar. The four major islands are Ngazidja (Grande Comore), Mwali (Mohéli), Nzwani (Anjouan), and Mahoré (Mayotte). There are also smaller islands that belong to Comoros. The capital, Moroni, is in Ngazidja. Volcanic activity caused the islands to arise from below the Indian Ocean. Mount Karthala is still an active volcano on Ngazidja, and it experienced a minor eruption in 2006. Travelers to the islands will find hills, mountains, valleys, beaches, and the nation’s two volcanoes.
Noirbaby’s Books of the Month:
Happy Holidays
There’s no better time than the Holidays to snuggle up near a crackling fire and read a few good books with your kids. This month’s featured books will bring a smile to your children’s faces, a laugh from their lips, and teach them valuable lessons about giving. There are few better gifts than the lessons you’ll teach and the memories you’ll create.