The Survival Guide for Rookie Moms is a practical and fun book that takes the reader through the joy and insanity of the first year of motherhood.  Using  cartoon illustrations, a series of “I wish I would have known comments” and expert advice, authors Erica Wells and Lorraine Regel guide new moms through their rookie season like pros – we’re fans!

The FDA is working on creating a new list of drugs that may be safe during pregnancy. ParentsAsk.com explains what the new study will mean for you AND gives the low down on which commonly used medications are safe to take and which ones are not.  You can check out the info here.

In The Human Spark,  a new 3-part series that premiers on PBS this week, Alan Alda travels the world trying to understand one central question:  What makes humans unique?   He speaks to a wide variety of experts who share their original thoughts about our most human characteristics, and of interest to parents,  the point at which the human spark happens in our brains and takes us on the path of human behavior.

PBS is also offering viewers to Share Your Spark! What do you think makes humans human? Send in your photos, artwork, videos or text—perhaps it’s your baby speaking for the first time, or a family anecdote…  PBS will select submissions and include them on the Human Spark Web site.

Our DVR’s are set!

Yes, we admit it, along with millions of other American Families, we bought, watched and enjoyed The Baby Einstein video collection.  We made dinner, folded laundry and emptied the dishwasher while our toddlers got a good, solid dose of brain-boosting TV-time…  or so we thought!

Well, as it turns out, these videos aren’t exactly “mensa-makers.”  Whether an interesting marketing ploy or genius move on their part, the makers of Baby Einstein have announced that they are offering refunds for their video collections…which seems like a no-brainer to us:)

We wanted to thank all of you who came out to the fabulous Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood on Sunday for the Plan A Baby event!  Those in attendance were treated to amazing speakers including our friends, The MiGi Girls and the always fabulous founder of MD Mom’s,  Dr. JJ Levenstein, as well as great vendors, delicious food and lots of fun.

We loved having an opportunity to meet so many of you and share our thoughts on, what else?, planning for baby!

October is SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) Awareness Month.  While this devastating and unexplained syndrome leaves many unanswered questions, here are some SIDS risk-reducing tips for parents to keep in mind:

* Always place baby on his or her back to sleep, even if it’s just for naps. * Use a safety approved crib with a firm and tight fitting mattress.* Remove all soft bedding and toys from  baby’s sleep area. * Use a wearable blanket to keep baby cozy, warm and safe.

To find out more about how you can help reduce the risk of SIDS, check out HaloSleep.com.   Knowledge is power!

We’re excited to tell you about Kimberley Clayton Blaine’s, (aka, the Go-To Mom) new book: “The Internet Mommy: Inspiring Interviews and Stories from Mothers Who Work and Play Online.”

Our friend and popular parenting expert-turned-author, is exploring how social networks influence the way online moms make money, view life, find friends and raise kids in today’s digital world.  The book features essays from more than 40 hip and well-known mom bloggers from around the country (including yours truly!), which she refers to as her “circle of moms” whom she found through social networking and blogging.

Kimberley’s hope is that her personal “circle of moms” will inspire other online moms to build a support-system that allows them to identify opportunities and thrive online.  All of which makes perfect sense to us!

We’re excited to tell you about Momologie, a new free e-newsletter and website that is launching October 1st, that is brimming with fresh ideas and inspiration for family life.  Everyone loves to have snappy, stylish, and fun stuff arrive in their inbox, and these e-mails promise to deliver!

The talented women behind this newsletter are our friends and colleagues, the oh-so-fabulous MiGi Girls.  Michele Adams & Gia Russo created the thriving MiGi brand and their latest venture is simply fabulous!  Sign up and see for yourself at www.momologie.com.

We are so thrilled that Laura and Euna have been released, and wanted to add our voice to the chorus of people around the world celebrating their safe return home – bravo!

Every once in a while, a product comes our way that really makes us stop and take notice.  Parenting on Track, a series of educational and inspirational audio and video dvds, did just that!  It is not our usual baby-centric fare, rather it is parent-centric and not to be missed.

As presented by Vicki Hoefle, a Parent Educator extraordinaire who uses humor, straight talk and compassion to deliver an empowering message to all parents – you can do this, and you can do it well! – Parenting on Track is a wonderful tool to help parents gain the confidence we need to succeed, and helps us develop the parent/child relationship we all desire and deserve.

Educating parents for over 20 years, Vicki’s experience and proactive approach is all about helping families prevent problems before they occur.  The 12-week program might seem daunting at first, but we can tell you after the first 10 minutes we were hooked.  We can’t recommend this enough!